By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negros Pau Muscovados wasted an early double-digit lead before pulling off a 76-72 overtime escape against Laguna Krah Heroes in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at the STRIKE Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite on Tuesday, June 13.
After being forced to an extension period by the Heroes, the Muscovados got four early points from Nemesis dela Cruz, but it was quickly countered by Laguna for a 70-all score with three minutes in the game.
Consecutive baskets from Jason Melano, Bernie Bregondo and Bacolodnon Paolo Javelona gave Negros a 76-70 lead before Laguna trimmed the deficit with a late shot from Dexter Mescallado.
Javelona top-scored for the Muscovados with 13 points, including one three-point basket, to go with four assists, four steals and three rebounds to be named as the Player of the Game.
Dela Cruz, a transferee from Sarangani Marlins, added 12 markers, while newcomer Camillus “Ichie” Altamirano ended with 10 points, six rebounds and two assists for Negros (5-9).
Down from being 13-15 after the first 10 minutes, the Muscovados went to work in the second frame behind Javelona, Lugie Cuyos, Arben Dionson, and John Pastias as they surged to a 42-26 halftime lead.
After establishing their largest lead at 44-26 early in the third from a basket by Pastias, the Muscovados were held to just four points while Laguna went on a massive run to snatch a 49-48 lead.
Laguna’s lead grew to 59-53 early in the fourth quarter, but Negros turned things around behind outside conversions from Dela Cruz and inside baskets from Melano to force a deadlock at 66-all.
Mescallado finished with 16 points and four rebounds, while Paolo Pontejos and David Santiago chipped in 14 and 12 markers, respectively, as Laguna dropped to 3-12 in the standings.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City of Smiles failed to sustain its double-digit lead to suffer a 67-63 loss to Pasay Voyagers. The defeat halted their two-game winning run to drop to 5-9, while Pasay improved to 10-3.
NEGROS 76 — Javelona 13, Dela Cruz 12, Altamirano 10, Melano 9, Dionson 8, Pastias 7, Cuyos 6, Villafranca 4, Bregondo 3, Maloles 2, Santillan 2, Longa 0, Racho 0, Albo 0, Bartolo 0.
LAGUNA 72 — Mescallado 16, Pontejos 14, Santiago 12, Acibar 7, Dedicatoria 6, Quiminales 6, Ibanes 5, Celis 4, Garcia 2, Camacho 0, P. Anonuevo 0, Matias 0.
Quarterscores: 13-15, 42-26, 48-47, 66-66, 76-72./ASC, WDJ