By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negros Pau Muscovados returned to their winning ways in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) with a 77-61 rout of Quezon City TODA Aksyon V Fresh at the STRIKE Gym in Bacoor, Cavite over the weekend.
Jason Melano tallied 17 points to go with five rebounds, five assists and four steals to be adjudged as the Player of the Game as the Muscovados hiked its win-loss record to 10-15.
Mark Maloles added 15 markers and three rebounds, while Camillus Altamirano ended with 13 points, including two three-pointers, to go with four steals as the Muscovados kept their playoff hopes alive.
Holding to a slim 16-11 lead after the first quarter, the Muscovados started to create separation in the second frame behind connections by Leo James Ingles and Altamirano for a 35-22 halftime lead.
The Muscovados pulled away further in the second half with Melano and Maloles converting from inside and Jonathan Gantalao, Jr. and Robert Bartolo making their layups for their biggest lead of 17 points.
Errol Soriano tallied double-double 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Kenji Roman contributed 14 markers and eight boards as the cellar-dwelling Quezon City dropped to 3-23.
The Muscovados hope to extend their winning streak to keep their playoff hopes alive as they battle Batangas City Embassy Chill at the Batangas City Coliseum on Monday, August 21 at 8:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City of Smiles (10-15) failed to sustain its uprising as it suffered an 87-80 defeat to General Santos Warriors (19-6) at the Bataan People’s Center in Orani, Bataan.
John Marion Wilson got the Player of the Game honors for General Santos with 20 points, Jervy Cruz added 15 markers, while Krystoffe Jimenez contributed 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
John Cantimbuhan top-scored for Bacolod City with 14 points, Domark Matillano and Christopher Menguez added 12 and 11, respectively, while Mark Sarangay and Ryussei Koga ended with 10 points each.
NEGROS 77 — Melano 17, Maloles 15, Altamirano 13, Bregondo 8, Ingles 6, Gantalao 4, Bartolo 4, Pastias 3, Mallari 3, Dionson 2, Dela Cruz 2, Longa 0.
QUEZON CITY 61 — Soriano 18, Roman 14, Lina 9, Benavides 9, Pedrosa 7, Flores 3, Berjay 1, Sumalacay 0, Bagon 0, Melegrito 0, Lo 0, Enriquez 0.
Quarterscores: 16-11, 35-22, 58-42, 77-61./ASC, WDJ