By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Bacolod City of Smiles failed to sustain its third quarter uprising to suffer a 74-68 defeat to Imus SV Squad in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at the Baliwag Star Arena in Bulacan on Monday night, May 22.
Trailing 47-36 early in the third quarter, Bacolod City got conversions from Domark Matillano and Alfred Sedillo to cut the deficit to 41-47, but Imus quickly restored it to a double-digit lead at 54-44.
Baskets from Sedillo, Matillano and Valandre Chauca allowed the Bacolodnons to cut the deficit to 51-54, before they knotted the score at 56-all on back-to-back inside hits by Justine Alano.
Bacolod City tied the score for the last time at 58-all on another Alano basket, but Imus got six unanswered points from Jayjay Helterbrand, Jean Marc Pingris and Jaymar Gimpayan to pull away at 64-58.
Bacolod City made its last stand at 61-65 after a basket from Sedillo, but back-to-back outside shots from Nathaniel Lopez and Johnsherick Estrada widened Imus’ lead to double-digits with less than a minute left in the game.
Pingris had a vintage outing with double-double 14 points and 10 rebounds to go with three assists, three blocks and a steal as Imus notched their fourth win against five losses.
Helterbrand also turned back the clock for Imus with 12 markers, including two outside conversions, while Estrada contributed 11 points to go with three steals, two rebounds and two assists.
Matillano top-scored for the slumping Bacolod City with 17 points, with three three-point connections, along with three rebounds, two assists and a steal as they dropped to a 3-8 slate.
On the other hand, Sedillo had his best performance with the Bacolodnons with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Chauca contributed 11 points and seven assists in the close defeat.
Bacolod City of Smiles will have a chance to end their five-game losing skid when they face Muntinlupa Cagers at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on May 29 at 6:00 p.m.
IMUS 74 — Pingris 14, Helterbrand 12, Estrada 11, Lastimosa 8, Gimpayan 8, Cani 7, Lopez 5, Canaleta 5, Mallari 2, Hayes 2, Alabanza 0, Penaredondo 0, Actub 0.
BACOLOD 68 — Matillano 17, Sedillo 14, Chauca 11, Alano 8, Alves 7, Stevens 6, Cantimbuhan 3, J. Mangahas 2, Menguez 0, Pabilona 0, Pastias 0, Sarangay 0, Koga 0.
Quarterscores: 27-24, 45-36, 58-56, 74-68./ASC, WDJ