By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negros Pau Muscovados returned to their winning ways in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) after a 121-76 annihilation of Bicol Volcanoes at the STRIKE Gym in Bacoor, Cavite on Saturday night, August 12.
Leo James Ingles tallied double-double 22 points and 11 rebounds to go with seven assists and four steals to be hailed as the Player of the Game as the Muscovados moved up to 9-14 in the standings.
Jonathan Gantalao, Jr. added 21 markers, including five three-pointers. Robert Bartolo, Jr. finished with 15 points, Jason Melano had double-double 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Camillus Altamirano ended with 11 markers for the Negrenses.
The Muscovados opened the contest with a 12-0 score behind triples by Gantalao and Arben Dionson, and inside shots from Ritcher Santillan and Mark Maloles, before establishing a 35-19 lead.
The Negrenses continued their run in the second quarter behind Ingles and Bartolo for a 63-40 advantage at the half, which later grew to as much as 47 points late in the fourth quarter.
“Kung ano naman ang ipinapakita namin sa game, ‘yun din ang ginagawa namin sa practices namin,” Ingles said.
“Ang training talaga namin is takbo kami ng takbo para makasabay kami sa mga kalaban namin,” he added.
Denzel Wong top-scored with 19 points, Ralph Deles chipped in double-double 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Alfren Gayosa ended with 15 as the Volcanoes dropped to a 1-23 record.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo United Royals saw their three-game winning run snapped as they suffered an 87-80 loss to Makati OK Bet Kings at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.
Jan Jamon drilled five three-pointers to finish with 23 points, Negrense Robby Celiz added 12 markers, while Ilonggo Billy Robles contributed 11 markers as the Kings improved to 17-6.
Joshua Flores top-scored with 20 points, Conrad Catapusan had double-double 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Andrey Armenion and Jhon Rey Sumido had 12 each as the United Royals dropped to 11-13.
NEGROS 121 — Ingles 22, Gantalao 21, Bartolo 15, Melano 13, Altamirano 11, Santillan 9, Dionson 9, Longa 6, Pastias 5, Maloles 4, Bregondo 2, Dela Cruz 2, Mallari 2.
BICOL 76 — Wong 19, Deles 18, Gayosa 15, Sevilla 9, Boac 6, Ilad 5, Vitug 2, Domagtoy 1, Rifarial 1, Malamug 0, Roy 0.
Quarterscores: 35-19, 63-40, 88-55, 121-76./ASC, WDJ