By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Kim Kaizen Lo delivered crucial points in the fourth quarter as the Quezon City TODA Aksyon scored a come-from-behind 74-71 victory over the Iloilo United Royals in the 2024 MPBL Season at the Quezon Convention Center on Saturday night, May 25.
The former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers guard finished with 13 points, including three outside conversions, to be named Player of the Game as Quezon City moved up to a 3-6 record.
Trailing for most part of the game, Quezon City slowly clawed their way back until they forced a deadlock at 65-all midway through the fourth quarter on three-pointers by Rhinwil Yambing and Lo.
Iloilo reclaimed the lead back at 69-65, but Quezon City responded with conversions from Rafael Are and Lo to take a 70-69 lead before sealing the victory on four free throws by Are.
“Actually, sa depensa kami lumamang in this game. We had adjustments in the game. Sa opensa naman, tuloy tuloy lang ‘yung rotation namin to find the open man,” Lo said in a post-game interview.
“Nag-stop ako [sa basketball] for over seven years. Dinaan ko talaga sa hardwork, kaya bumalik ako sa condition,” he said.
“I just want to give back to the management sa tiwala nila sa akin,” he added.
Are led the way for Quezon City with 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while Yambing contributed 11 markers, including two three-point conversions, along with three boards.
Crispin John Cansino top-scored for Iloilo with 24 points, with 16 coming in the first two quarters, while Shaquille Imperial added 10 markers.
They dropped to a similar 3-6 slate.
Meanwhile, the Mindoro Tamaraws (4-6) pulled off a stunner as they defeated the Pasay Voyagers (5-4), 96-88.
Ilonggo Ken Bono finished with 25 points, five rebounds and three assists to earn the Player of the Game honors./ASC, WDJ
QUEZON CITY 74 — R. Are 14, Lo 13, Yambing 11, Roman 9, Ballesteros 8, Tibayan 8, M. Are 3, Gesalem 3, Desoyo 2, Sawat 2, Cosari 1, Tauto-An 0, Cauilan 0, Bienes 0.
ILOILO 71 — Cansino 24, Imperial 10, Berjay 8, Nonoy 8, Gomez 7, Doliguez 3, Credo 2, Capacio 2, Diaz 2, Javelosa 0, Catapusan 0.
Quarterscores: 24-17, 45-42, 59-62, 74-71.