By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negros Muscovados relied on a strong second half rampage to defeat Makati OKBET Kings, 86-75, in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League
(MPBL) at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga on Monday night, May 8.
Robin Roño led the way with 19 points, including four three-point conversions, to go with five rebounds, one assist and a steal as the Muscovados returned to their winning ways for a 3-5 win-loss slate.
Bacolodnon Paolo Javelona and Bernie Bregondo chipped in 11 markers apiece, Robert Bartolo contributed 10 points, while Jason Melano and Leo Ingles had nine each for the Muscovados.
Clinging to a slim 39-38 lead at the half, the Muscovados zoomed to a 46-42 lead behind four straight points from Melano, but it was quickly trimmed to 47-48 by a layup from Ilonggo Billy Ray Robles of Makati.
Back-to-back triples by Roño, inside hits from Bartolo and Bregondo and more outside hits from Roño and Javelona to end the quarter allowed the Muscovados to widen the lead to 68-59.
Makati attempted to come close early in the fourth quarter as they trimmed the deficit to 69-74, but Negros answered with a basket from Jonathan Gantalao and three free throws by Roño for the largest lead of 81-69.
The Kings made their last push behind a triple and a layup by Joseph Terso to cut the deficit to 75-81 with less than two minutes in the game, but a conversion by Ingles and free throws by Gantalao sealed the win for the Muscovados.
“Sinabihan kami ni coach Bonnie [Garcia] na composed lang kami nung humahabol ‘yung Makati,” Roño said.
“Pinaghandaan talaga namin ‘yung Makati since last week kasi galing sila sa panalo tapos kami galing sa talo,” he added.
Robles finished with double-double 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way for Makati, while Terso contributed 10 markers, including two triples. The Kings dropped to a 4-3 win-loss slate.
The Muscovados will attempt their first-ever winning streak in their MPBL franchise when they face the winless Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. at Bataan People’s Center on Saturday, March 13.
NEGROS 86 － Roño 19, Bregondo 11, Javelona 11, Bartolo 10, Melano 9, Ingles 9, Gantalao 6, Santillan 5, Geolingo 2, Lao 2, Maloles 2, Flores 0, Longa 0, Villafranca 0, Cuyos 0.
MAKATI 75 － Robles 14, Terso 10, Dagangon 9, Daves 9, Ramirez 9, Lorenzana 8, Calo 6, Celiz 6, Bringas 2, Cullar 2, Santos 0, Arana 0, Agovida 0, Sario 0.
Quarterscores: 14-28, 39-38, 68-59, 86-75./ASC, WDJ