By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negros Muscovados continued its struggle in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) after a 79-66 beating of Pampanga Giant Lanterns at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga province’s San Fernando City on Thursday night, April 13.

It was the third consecutive defeat, and fourth in their five matches so far, for the Muscovados, who underwent a coaching change and some roster adjustments during MPBL’s Lenten break.

The Muscovados were still hanging around and were just down by two at 14-16 in the opening quarter behind shots by Jason Melano, but the Giant Lanterns answered with baskets from Archie Concepcion and Jason Apolonio for a 21-14 lead.

Pampanga’s advantage went up to 28-14 early in the second quarter behind inside shots by Justine Baltazar, but a seven-point spurt by Bacolodnon Paolo Javelona cut the deficit to 26-33 for the Muscovados.

The Giant Lanterns, which were without head coach Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, added to their advantage just before the halftime break at 37-26 on back-to-back inside conversions by Earnest Reyes and Kurt Reyson.

Pampanga dominated Negros at the onset of the third quarter with fastbreak layups by Baltazar and a three-pointer from Concepcion to make it 45-26. It later grew to 53-29 with baskets from Baltazar and Concepcion.

The Giant Lanterns continued their run early in the fourth quarter as they built the largest lead several times at 25 points with the last at 53-38 on inside hits by John Lorenz Capulong and MJ Garcia.

However, the Muscovados made the final score respectable with newcomer Robin Roño connecting for 16 straight points and Jessey Villafranca connecting inside to cut the deficit to 13 points.

Concepcion was hailed as the Player of the Game for the debuting Giant Lanterns with 18 points, including three outside shots, while Baltazar and Garcia chipped in 15 and 10 markers, respectively.

Roño played his first game for the Muscovados and ended with 21 points, with four three-point connections, Melano added 15 markers, while Javelona and Edrian Lao had nine and eight, respectively.

PAMPANGA 79 — Concepcion 18, Baltazar 15, Garcia 10, Del Rosario 7, De Leon 6, Apolonio 6, Reyson 4, Capulong 4, Reyes 4, Santos 3, Maynes 2, Binuya 0, Gania 0, Mercado 0, Sampang 0.

NEGROS 66 — Roño 21, Melano 15, Javelona 9, Lao 8, Bartolo 5, Villafranca 4, Geolingo 2, Cuyos 2, De Mesa 0, Gantalao 0, Longa 0, Ingles 0, Maloles 0, Andaya 0, Santillan 0.

Quarterscores: 21-14, 37-26, 59-36, 79-66./ASC, WDJ