By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negros Pau Muscovados failed to hang on their early lead to suffer a close 67-64 defeat to 1Bataan Risers in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at the Bataan People’s Center on Thursday night, May 25.

The Muscovados slumped to their second consecutive defeat as they dropped to 4-7 in the standings, while the home team Risers improved to 6-5 with their back-to-back victories.

The Muscovados were blazing to start the game as they took a 26-15 lead behind conversions from Bernie Bregondo and Mark Maloles, but the Risers answered with a huge rally to cut the deficit to 22-29 at the half.

Bataan continued its uprising in the third quarter as they managed to cut the deficit to 38-39 before finally taking control of the contest at 52-46 on three-point baskets by Jethro Sombero and Kristoffer Torrado.

The Risers went on to widen the lead to 60-52 midway in the fourth quarter. The Muscovados got conversions from Bregondo and Jonathan Gantalao to cut it to 57-60, but a basket by Torrado and a triple by Ronnel Lastimosa widened Bataan’s lead to 65-57.

Negros still did not give up as seven straight points from Bregondo cut the deficit to 64-67 with seven seconds left. Bataan’s James Castro missed two free throws with a second left, but the Muscovados were unable to make a decent three-point attempt at the buzzer.

Castro was the lone double-digit scorer for the Risers with 14 points, including two three-point conversions, while Sombero and Robbi Marion Darang ended with nine markers apiece.

Bregondo led the way for the slumping Muscovados with double-double 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Edrian Lao and Gantalao contributed 12 and 11 markers, respectively, in the loss.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo United Royals-Cocolife (5-6) saw their winning streak snapped as they suffered an 83-71 loss at the hands of Marikina Shoemasters (4-7), which was led by 16 points by Raymond Ranzel Casajeros.

The United Royals had Justine Sanchez as the lone bright spot in the victory with 24 points, including two outside conversions, to go with three rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

BATAAN 67 — Castro 14, Sombero 9, Darang 9, Sazon 7, Ramos 6, Bringas 6, Torrado 5, Gabawan 3, Santos 3, Lastimosa 3, Bondoc 2, Vera 0, Gallardo 0.

NEGROS 64 — Bregondo 20, Lao 12, Gantalao 11, Maloles 9, Melano 9, Ingles 2, Rono 1, Longa 0, Villafranca 0, De Mesa 0, Santillan 0.

Quarterscores: 12-14, 22-29, 52-46, 67-64./ASC, WDJ