By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Iloilo United Royals-Cocolife recorded its second straight win in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) season with a 109-77 rout of Bicol Volcanoes at the Bataan People’s Center on Saturday, April 22.
Justine Sanchez led the way with double-double 15 points and 10 rebounds to go with five assists, one steal and a block as the United Royals improved to a 2-4 win-loss record in the standings.
Tony Ynot added 14 points along with five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block, while Neil Tolentino contributed 12 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting and 2-of-2 free throws for Iloilo.
Iloilo surged to an 11-4 start behind Joshua Flores, JR Ongteco and Ynot, but Bicol recovered to take a slim 13-12 lead before the United Royals pulled to a 29-19 edge behind Sanchez and Tolentino.
The Volcanoes tried to keep the match close at 33-39 midway in the second quarter, but the United Royals banked on back-to-back three-pointers by Lorenzo Navarro to stay ahead at 51-44 at the half.
By the second half, it was all United Royals as Sanchez, Ynot and Tolentino waxed hot on the field for a 77-52 upperhand before widening it further in the fourth quarter with triples from AJ Madrigal and playing team manager Michael Jay Javelosa.
James Martinez led the way with 23 points, including two three-point conversions, while Wowie Escosio and Nick Abanto had 19 and 10 points, respectively, as the Volcanoes remained winless in six games.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City of Smiles survived a late run by the Manila Stars for a 90-86 victory. The Bacolodnon squad improved to a 3-3 win-loss slate, while the Stars suffered its fifth loss in six games.
After seeing their double-digit lead trimmed to 84-86 late in the fourth quarter, the Bacolod got a dunk from Coy Alves and two free throws by Domark Matillano to keep the Stars at bay.
Alves was hailed as the Player of the Game for Bacolod City of Smiles as he finished with double-double 17 points and 10 rebounds to go with three assists.
ILOILO 109 — Sanchez 15, Ynot 14, Tolentino 12, Madrigal 9, J. Flores 9, Sumido 9, Navarro 9, Lucero 8, Ongteco 8, Catapusan 6, Javelosa 5, Basco 3, Korovesi 1, Larupay 1, Guion 0.
BICOL 77 — Martinez 23, Escosio 19, Abanto 10, Wong 8, Matias 8, Ilad 5, De Leon 2, Sara 2, Vitug 0, Malamug 0, Domagtoy 0, Deles 0.
Quarterscores: 29-19, 51-44, 77-52, 109-77./ASC, WDJ