By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Jason Melano drilled two go-ahead free throws as Negros Pau Muscovados pulled off a 66-64 escape over Bulacan Kuyas in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City over the weekend.

With the score tied at 64-all after a game-tying triple by Kuyas’ Kentoy Segura, Melano drew a foul from Bulacan’s Gwynne Capacio with four seconds left that resulted in two free throws.

After Melano surged the Negrenses ahead at 66-64, the Kuyas still had a chance to snatch the victory, but Segura’s three-point attempt at the final buzzer failed to find its mark.

Melano finished the game with 15 points to go with six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block as the Muscovados snapped its three-game losing skid to improve to a 2-4 win-loss slate.

Robin Rono led the way for the Muscovados with 19 points, including three outside conversions, while big man Edrian Lao hauled in nine rebounds to go with his eight markers in the win.

“The boys executed the game plan and we controlled the rebounds, especially the guards,” Muscovados head coach Bonnie Garcia said.

“We took control in the second half,” he added.

Down 25-34 at the half, the Muscovados opened the third quarter with baskets from Rono, Melano and Lao as they cut the deficit to 39-42, but late hits from the Kuyas allowed them to take a 48-44 advantage.

The Muscovados went on to take a 49-48 lead in the fourth quarter with a three-pointer from Rono, but the Kuyas leaned on Joseph Gabayni to regain the advantage at 56-52 midway in the period.

Negros got control of the lead anew at 64-60 after a three-pointer by Jose Piero Longa and free throws by Pao Javelona, but the Kuyas made their last push on a free throw by Gabayni and a triple by Segura for a 64-all count.

Segura finished with 18 points, including three outside conversions, Gabayni added 12 markers and seven boards, while Jerick Fabian contributed 10 points as the Kuyas dropped to 4-3.

NEGROS 66 — Rono 19, Melano 15, Lao 8, Javelona 8, Longa 5, Gantalao 4, Villafranca 3, Ingles 2, De Mesa 2, Bartolo 2, Cuyos 0, Maloles 0.

BULACAN 64 — Segura 18, Gabayni 12, Fabian 10, Raflores 9, Ingel 5, Cruz 4, Capacio 2, Codinera 2, Dela Cruz 2, De Guzman 0, Nacpil 0, Alcoriza 0.

Quarterscores: 12-17, 25-34, 44-48, 66-64./ASC, WDJ