By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Bacolod City of Smiles avoided an upset try by Valenzuela City XUR Homes Realty Inc. as they scored a 102-98 victory in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Leading by double-digits in the third quarter, the Bacolodnons were stunned by a huge second-half rampage by Valenzuela City, which came closest at 94-96 after a basket by Carlo Velarde with less than two minutes left.
However, John Cantimbuhan scored on a two-pointer and split his free throws to widen Bacolod City’s advantage to 99-94, but Valenzuela City threatened anew at 97-99 on a three-pointer by Carlo de Chavez.
Valandre Chauca increased Bacolod’s lead back to four points with a layup in the final 21 seconds. After a split free throw by Valenzuela’s AJ Benson, Cantimbuhan iced the win for the Bacolodnons with a free throw.
Domark Matillano top-scored with 18 points, on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting from the field, to go with two assists, two steals and a rebound as Bacolod improved to a 9-12 win-loss slate.
Cantimbuhan added 17 markers, six rebounds and six assists, Mark Sarangay posted double-double 14 points and 17 rebounds, while Chauca and Alfred Sedillo had 13 and 10, respectively.
Bacolod went to work early as they cruised to a 26-18 advantage after the opening quarter. The onslaught continued in the second frame as the Bacolodnons padded the lead to 11 points at the half.
Bacolod City’s advantage went up to as high as 17 points at 57-40 after a triple by Ryussei Koga, but Valenzuela City’s offense woke up as they cut the deficit to 76-80 and later at 94-96 late in the final quarter.
Benson finished with 26 points, with two outside conversions, to go with 12 rebounds and six assists, Enjerico Diego added 15 markers, while De Chavez and Darrell Manlinguez had 11 and 10, respectively, for Valenzuela City (3-13).
Bacolod City of Smiles will look for its third consecutive victory as they face hometeam Batangas City Embassy Chill at the Batangas City Coliseum on August 1 at 8:00 p.m.
BACOLOD 102 — Matillano 18, Cantimbuhan 17, Sarangay 14, Chauca 13, Sedillo 10, Basibas 8, Koga 8, Magbanua 6, Alves 6, Menguez 2, Stevens 0, Alano 0.
VALENZUELA 98 — Benson 26, Diego 15, De Chavez 11, Manlinguez 10, Macion 8, Rivera 5, Carlos 5, Santos 5, Sy 4, Velasco 4, Ngojo 3, Hiro 2, Luengo 0.
Quarterscores: 28-16, 51-40, 80-76, 102-98./ASC, WDJ