By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Iloilo United Royals clinched a seat in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) playoffs after a 78-75 triumph over Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum on Thursday night, September 21, 2023.

Trailing for most part of the game, the United Royals finally caught up with the Golden Coolers in the fourth quarter as they forced a deadlock at 70-all on back-to-back baskets by homegrown players Jhon Rey Sumido and Omar Larupay.

The Golden Coolers took the lead for the last time at 72-70 after a basket by Ilonggo Jeric James Pido before the United Royals countered with a three-pointer from Sumido to surge ahead at 73-72.

The United Royals took control of the game from that point as Jeffrey Ryan Ongteco connected from inside while Lorenzo Navarro split his free throws as they extended the advantage to 76-72.

After almost two scoreless minutes, the United Royals padded the lead to 78-72 on an inside connection by Larupay, but the Golden Coolers made their last push at 75-78 on a three-point play by Franz Abuda.

The Golden Coolers had a chance to send the game into overtime after an empty possession by the United Royals, but Jonas Tibayan missed on a three-point attempt at the buzzer.

Larupay finished with double-double 16 points and 16 rebounds to go with two steals and a block to be named as the Player of the Game as the United Royals improved to a 12-15 win-loss slate.

Ongteco also ended up with 16 markers, while Conrad Catapusan contributed 11 points and five rebounds as the United Royals formally clinched a seat in the Southern Division quarterfinals.

Tibayan finished with 16 points and seven rebounds, Abuda added 11 points and eight rebounds, while Pido contributed 10 markers as the Golden Coolers dropped to 11-16 in the standings.

The United Royals will aim to continue the momentum heading into the playoffs as they finish their elimination round assignment against Pasay City Voyagers at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on September 25.

ILOILO 78 — Ongteco 16, Larupay 16, Catapusan 11, Flores 9, Sumido 9, Imperial 7, Navarro 4, Armenion 2, Nunez 2, Javelosa 2, Madrigal 0.

RIZAL 75 — Tibayan 16, Abuda 11, Pido 10, Uri 7, Fuentes 7, Aquino 5, Charcos 5, De Mesa 5, Meca 3, Marquez 3, Banes 2, Andales 1, Are 0.

Quarterscores: 23-28, 40-43, 60-64, 78-75./ASC, WDJ