By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Bacolod City of Smiles continued their losing skid in the 2024 MPBL Season with a 77-62 loss to the Zamboanga City Family Sardines at the Olivares College Gymnasium in Parañaque City on Thursday night, May 16.
This was the Alex Cabagnot-mentored Bacolod City squad’s fifth consecutive defeat since notching their first victory of the season, an 84-81 escape over the Sarangani Marlins on April 17.
Zamboanga immediately dominated Bacolod in the opening quarter as they established a 22-13 lead, but the latter had a strong second quarter to cut the deficit to 32-38 at the half.
Bacolod continued their run in the third quarter as they rallied to within 37-40 on a basket by Tricky Peromingan, but Zamboanga responded with a run from Rey Barcuma and Jaycee Marcelino to widen the advantage to 57-43.
Zamboanga went on to establish the largest lead at 61-43 on a connection by Marcelino early in the fourth before Bacolod made the final score respectable with a late run.
Marcelino spearheaded the offense with 23 points, including a three-pointer, to go with four rebounds, one assist and a block to be named Player of the Game for Zamboanga.
“Siguro mas tumaas lang ‘yung adrenaline ko nung tinamaan ako sa ilong, kaya nung pagbalik ko, talagang ibinigay ko ‘yung best ko para maipanalo itong game,” Marcelino said.
Barcuma provided offensive spark off the bench with 12 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Adrian Santos ended with 10 points and seven rebounds for Zamboanga, which improved to a 7-1 record.
Janjan Pastias finished with 12 points, including two triples, to go with two assists, one rebound and a block, while Jacob Galicia contributed 10 markers as Bacolod dropped to 1-7.
The Bacolod City of Smiles will have another tough opponent in their next game as they face the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards at the WES Arena in Valenzuela City on May 23 at 6:00 p.m./ASC, WDJ
ZAMBOANGA 77 — Marcelino 23, Barcuma 12, Santos 10, Publico 6, Alas 6, Terso 5, Gabayni 5, Strait 4, Apolonio 2, Tansingco 2, Mahari 2, Subido 0, Ignacio 0.
BACOLOD 62 — Pastias 12, Galicia 10, Sedillo 7, Canal 7, Ramos 5, Casinillo 4, Marilao 4, Pardo 3, Espanola 2, Ubalde 2, Peromingan 2, Salcedo 2, Galit 0.
Quarterscores: 22-13, 38-32, 57-43, 77-62.