By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negros Pau Muscovados was triumphant in their first-ever home game after a 69-60 beating of Manila Stars in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City on Saturday night, July 29.

Jonathan Gantalao, Jr. was efficient with his offense in the first half to end up with 11 points, including three three-point connections, to go with seven assists to be named as the Player of the Game for the Muscovados.

Jun Manzo led the way for the Muscovados with 12 markers before fouling out late in the game. Jason Melano added nine points and 10 rebounds as they improved to 8-13 to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Clinging to a slim 15-14 lead after the opening quarter, the Muscovados relied on the outside scoring of Gantalao in the second frame as they created separation from the Stars at the half, 36-28.

Negros continued its run to start the third quarter for a 43-28 advantage after a Mark Maloles triple, but Manila threatened to claw back several times before the Muscovados established a 62-47 lead via triples by Jose Piero Longa and Jan Pastias.

However, the Stars threatened anew late in the game at 57-63 after back-to-back triples from Allan Mangahas, but the Muscovados answered with outside hits from Maloles and Longa to make it a 69-58 score with 48 seconds left.

Manila still tried to mount a fight back after a basket by Archie Salo and forcing Negros to a turnover, but Kyle Neypes missed on a technical free throw and a teammate misfired on their final attempt.

Mangahas ended with 12 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, Bacolodnon Clark Bautista added 10 markers, while Neypes also had the same output for the 3-19 Manila, which will travel to Passi City tonight to face the Iloilo United Royals.

Meanwhile, Makati OK BET Kings (15-6) got a huge lift from their Western Visayas-based players to score a 68-61 upset over defending champions Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (18-3).

Negrense Robby Celiz led the way with 12 points and nine rebounds, Ilonggo Billy Ray Robles added 10 markers, while JC Cullar and Keith Agovida had 11 and 10 points, respectively.

NEGROS 69 — Manzo 12, Gantalao 11, Melano 9, Bregondo 8, Maloles 8, Longa 6, Dela Cruz 5, Santillan 3, Mallari 3, Pastias 3, Dionson 0.

MANILA 60 — A. Mangahas 12, Bautista 10, Neypes 10, Yutuc 9, Acosta 7, Salo 7, Manalo 3, Espiritu 2, J. Mangahas 0, Lao 0, Pasculado 0, Mancao 0.

Quarterscores: 15-14, 36-28, 52-37, 69-60./ASC, WDJ