By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negros Pau Muscovados was badly beaten by Batangas City Embassy Chill, 83-62, in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at the Batangas City Coliseum on Monday night, August 21.
The one-sided affair was a huge blow on the side of the Muscovados, who were hoping to catch the last bus to the playoffs round in the Southern Division, as they dropped to 10-16 in the standings.
Batangas opened the game with a 9-2 lead behind baskets from Levi Hernandez and Carlos Isit. Negros rallied to within 6-11, but Batangas responded with conversions from John Ambulodto for a 16-9 score.
The Embassy Chill widened the lead to 21-9 on consecutive hits from Jeckster Apinan, but the Muscovados answered with shots from Jonathan Gantalao, Jr. to cut it to 15-22. Batangas got more points from Apinan and Hernandez for a 39-16 count.
Batangas continued its relentless offense in the third period with John Rey Villanueva delivering consecutive baskets, and Rhaffy Octobre connecting from outside as the lead swelled to 65-43.
The Muscovados opened the final quarter with conversions from Jason Melano and Leo James Ingles to cut the deficit to 19, but the Embassy Chill had a quick answer from Apinan to seal the win.
Hernandez earned the Player of the Game honors as he finished with 17 points, including four three-point conversions, to go with four rebounds, two assists and a steal for Batangas.
Apinan, who hails from Roxas City, added double-double 13 points and 14 rebounds, while Ambulodto, Villanueva and Oliver Arim each had nine markers as the Embassy Chill improved to 19-5.
Melano tallied 16 points and nine rebounds, while Ingles added 11 markers and seven boards for the Muscovados, which failed to score a follow up to their 77-61 win over Quezon City Toda Aksyon V Fresh last Friday, August 18.
The Muscovados will have around two weeks of break before resuming to play against the powerhouse Bacoor City Strikers at the Olivares College Gymnasium in Parañaque City on September 13 at 6:00 p.m.
BATANGAS 83 — Hernandez 17, Apinan 13, Ambulodto 9, Villanueva 9, Arim 9, Baloria 7, Asuncion 5, Isit 4, Octobre 3, Lingganay 3, Cruz 2, Alarcon 2, Oliva 0, Lunor 0, Importante 0.
NEGROS 62 — Melano 16, Ingles 11, Bregondo 7, Altamirano 7, Manzo 7, Gantalao 4, Longa 4, Maloles 3, Dionson 2, Bartolo 1, Pastias 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 16-9, 42-21, 65-43, 83-62./ASC, WDJ