By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Negros Muscovados prevented the Marikina Shoemasters’ fourth quarter uprising to score a 73-62 victory in MPBL at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan on Monday night, April 8.
Leading by as much as 18 points at 63-45 early in the fourth quarter, the Muscovados were stunned by a huge run by the Shoemasters, which cut the deficit to nine points at 55-64 with four minutes left.
However, the Muscovados responded with inside conversions from Renz Palma and Germy Mahinay as they increased the lead back to 15 points at 72-57 with less than a minute left.
Palma top-scored for the Muscovados with 14 points to go with five assists and three rebounds. Jeremy Cruz added 12 markers, including three outside hits, while Yvan Ludovice contributed 11 points.
Mahinay made his presence felt with 13 rebounds to go with five markers, while Mark Atabay also hauled in 12 rebounds to go with six markers and three assists for the Muscovados.
Cruz, who was named Player of the Game, said that one of the things the Muscovados have upgraded this season is their defense, with the addition of big men Mahinay, Palma and Atabay.
“Siguro ang isa sa mga strength namin this season is ‘yung depensa,” Cruz said in a post-game interview.
“Maganda ‘yung naging depensa namin nung first half hanggang nung second half,” he said.
“Ang isa sa mga in-emphasize sa amin ni coach [Bonnie Garcia] before this game is huwag niyo pababayaan ‘yung depensa niyo. And good thing, lumabas ‘yung depensa namin,” he added.
Miguel Castellano led the way for the Shoemasters with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Joe Gomez de Liaño contributed 11 points and nine rebounds in the loss.
The Muscovados will attempt their second straight win this season when they face the Pasay Voyagers at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City on Thursday, April 11 at 8:00 p.m./ASC, WDJ
NEGROS 73 — Palma 14, Cruz 12, Ludovice 11, Capobres 9, Atabay 6, Comia 5, Mahinay 5, Cani 4, Antiporda 3, Ramos 2, Caunan 2, Pangilinan 0, Pascual 0, Longa 0, Alcaide 0.
MARIKINA 62 — Castellano 14, Gomez de Liaño 11, Basco 7, Pili 7, Udjan 6, Casajeros 4, Tan 3, Escoto 3, Igliane 2, Mosqueda 2, Demigaya 2, Landaya 1, Evangelista 0, Mabigat 0, Codinera 0.
Quarterscores: 16-10, 37-25, 60-43, 73-62.