By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negros Muscovados failed to sustain their fourth quarter lead to suffer a 69-58 defeat to Marikina Shoemasters in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Thursday night, June 1.
The Muscovados were ahead at 56-49 with seven minutes in the game after two free throws by Bernie Bregondo, but the Shoemasters answered with a triple from Jason Strait and five consecutive points from Felipe Chavez to cut the deficit to 57-58.
A three-pointer by Marwin Dionisio gave Marikina a 60-58 advantage with four minutes left before they widened it further to as high as 11 points with conversions from Chavez, Dionisio and Jason Opiso.
Chavez was named as the Player of the Game for the Shoemasters with 18 points, with 11 coming in the fourth quarter, to go with 10 rebounds and three assists as they improved to a 5-7 win-loss slate.
Strait chipped in 15 markers, including three outside conversions, Dionisio contributed 12 points, with two three-pointers, while Opiso flirted with double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds.
In a tightly-contested game to start the first quarter, the Muscovados got consecutive baskets from Jason Melano and a three-pointer from Paolo Javelona to establish an 18-12 lead.
Negros continued its run in the second quarter as they built a 27-16 lead on back-to-back triples by Richard Albo. Marikina rallied to within 24-27, but the Muscovados pulled away anew at 34-27 at the half with shots from Melano and Bregondo.
The Muscovados’ lead reached double-digits anew in the third quarter at 38-27 after a triple by Jose Piero Longa, but the Shoemasters made another run to cut the deficit to 47-50 heading into the final quarter.
Melano finished with 12 points to go with seven rebounds and two assists, while Bregondo contributed 10 markers for the Muscovados, which dropped to a 4-8 win-loss slate.
The Muscovados will hope to snap their three-game losing skid when they battle Batang Kankaloo of Caloocan City at the Caloocan Sports Complex on June 7 at 8:00 p.m.
MARIKINA 69 — Chavez 18, Strait 15, Dionisio 12, Opiso 9, Gomez de Liano 9, Timajo 2, Landayan 2, Berjay 2, Udjan 0, White 0, Tolentino 0, Arenal 0.
NEGROS 58 — Melano 12, Bregondo 10, Javelona 8, Rono 8, Albo 6, Ingles 4, Longa 3, Bartolo 3, Gantalao 2, Santillan 2, Lao 0, Maloles 0.
Quarterscores: 12-18, 27-34, 47-50, 69-58./ASC, WDJ