By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Iloilo United Royals squandered a double-digit lead before pulling off a 100-98 victory over Sarangani Marlins in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at the STRIKE Gym in Bacoor, Cavite on Wednesday night, July 5.
Leading by double-digits early in the fourth quarter, the United Royals suddenly found themselves trailing at 97-98 after a triple by Marlins’ Jeff Viernes, but Iloilo managed to regain the lead at 99-98 via a layup by Shaquille Imperial.
After a missed two-point attempt by Sarangani’s Rafael Are, Joshua Flores wrapped up the victory for the United Royals as he drained his first free throw before missing his second as the final buzzer sounded.
Flores finished the game with 31 points, including seven three-point conversions, to go with nine rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block as the United Royals moved up to a 7-11 win-loss slate.
Omar Larupay chipped in double-double 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Ryan Arambulo and Imperial had 11 and 10 points, respectively, to give United Royals head coach MC Abolucion his first win with the team.
From a tightly-contested game at 29-27 early in the second quarter, the United Royals went to work behind Arambulo, Larupay and Flores as they built a 58-46 lead after a triple by Lorenzo Navarro.
Iloilo went on to build its largest lead at 66-51 on back-to-back hits by JR Ongteco, but Sarangani went on a run to cut the deficit to 66-73 before the United Royals pulled away anew at 79-71 on conversions from Ongteco and Flores.
The United Royals’ lead grew to 82-72 early in the fourth after a triple from Flores, but the Marlins slowly clawed their way back until they took the lead at 91-90 on a triple by John Paul Cauilan.
Reggz Albert Gabat top-scored with 16 points, Viernes and Cauilan added 15 and 14 markers, respectively, while Jefferson Comia and Jordan Sta. Ana had 11 each as the Marlins dropped to 8-10.
The United Royals will try to shoot for their second consecutive victory as they battle Zamboanga’s Family Brand Sardines at the STRIKE Gymnasium on July 11 at 6:00 p.m.
ILOILO 100 — Flores 31, Larupay 17, Arambulo 11, Imperial 10, Catapusan 9, Ongteco 8, Navarro 6, Sumido 5, Madrigal 2, Guion 1, Nunez 0, Basco 0.
SARANGANI 98 — Gabat 16, Viernes 15, Cauilan 14, Comia 11, Sta. Ana 11, Marilao 9, Are 9, Desoyo 7, Jimenez 3, Escalambre 3, Cosari 0, Saitanan 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 29-24, 58-51, 79-71, 100-98./ASC, WDJ