By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Bacolod City of Smiles saw their two-game winning run snapped after a 63-56 defeat to Quezon Huskers in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at the Bataan People’s Center on Saturday night, April 15.
RJ Minerva led the way with 12 points and eight rebounds, Jeric Teng chipped in 11 markers, while Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala had nine points as the Huskers hiked their record to 5-0.
On the other hand, James Mangahas top-scored for Bacolod with 11 points, while John Cantimbuhan added 10 markers as they saw their winning streak halted to drop to a 2-3 slate.
The Huskers surged to an 11-5 start behind early hits from Alcala and Teng, but Bacolod rallied back to take a slim 12-11 edge on a basket by Mark Sarangay, but back-to-back treys by Al Francis Tamsi and Alvin Abundo gave Quezon a 17-12 advantage.
Bacolod started the second quarter strong behind Mangahas, Cantimbuhan and Ryussei Koga to take a 20-19 lead, but Quezon answered back with back-to-back hits from Teng and Rashleigh Rivero to take a 23-20 edge.
Bacolod managed to tie the score for the last time at 23-all with free throws from Koga and Alfred Sedillo, but an inside hit by Alcala and a triple by John Karlo Casino gave the Huskers a 28-23 lead.
In the third quarter, Bacolod were still hanging around at 27-30, but Quezon created separation behind baskets from Tamsi, Casino, Alcala, and Teng for a huge 44-32 advantage.
Bacolodnons opened the fourth quarter with baskets from brothers James and Allan Mangahas to cut the deficit to single digits, but Quezon had a quick response from Minerva for a 50-38 upperhand.
The lead went up to as high as 15 points at 55-40 before Bacolod made its last push at 54-60 after a three-pointer from Mac Montilla, but free throws by Minerva and Teng sealed the win for Quezon.
The Monel Kallos-mentored Bacolod City of Smiles will have a one-week break before resuming action against Manila Stars on Saturday, April 22 at 6:00 p.m. at the same venue.
QUEZON 63 — Minerva 12, Teng 11, Alcala 9, Gozum 8, Casino 6, Tamsi 5, Torres 3, Rivero 2, Sandagon 2, Beltran 0, Lagrama 0, Pangilinan 0, Gravera 0.
BACOLOD 56 — J. Mangahas 11, Cantimbuhan 10, Matillano 7, Montilla 7, A. Mangahas 5, Arboleda 5, Sarangay 4, Koga 4, Sedillo 2, Menguez 1, Alves 0, Pabilona 0.
Quarterscores: 17-12, 28-23, 44-32, 63-56./ASC, WDJ