By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Mark Nonoy caught fire offensively in the second half as the Iloilo United Royals pulled off an 85-78 upset over the Davao Occidental Tigers-Cocolife in the 2024 MPBL Season at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Down 52-59 midway through the third quarter, the United Royals got a three-point play from Clint Doliguez followed by nine straight points from Nonoy to take a 63-61 advantage.

The game was still tight for both teams in the fourth quarter until Conrad Catapusan and Crispin John Cansino took turns on the offensive end to establish a 78-70 advantage before Nonoy secured the win with free throws down the stretch.

Nonoy top-scored with 18 points, with half of his scores coming from the free throw area, for the United Royals, which secured their first back-to-back wins of the season for a 4-7 win-loss slate.

RJ Berjay stepped up with a near double-double performance of 13 points and nine rebounds, while Cansino and Doliguez contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively, for Iloilo.

Jun Manzo tallied a double-double of 14 points and 10 assists, while Kenneth Ighalo and Riego Gamalinda added 12 and 11 points, respectively, as the Tigers saw their eight-game winning run snapped to drop to an 8-3 record.

Meanwhile, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns recovered from their first quarter struggle to dominate the Negros Muscovados, 104-81, at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

Justine Baltazar finished with a triple-double of 18 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists to earn the Player of the Game honors as the Giant Lanterns notched their 10th straight win for a 10-1 record.

Encho Serrano led the way for the defending champion Giant Lanterns with 20 points, while Jeffrey Viernes and Archie Concepcion contributed 16 and 13 markers, respectively.

Renz Palma top-scored for the Muscovados with 30 points, Alvin Capobres added 13 markers, while James Una had a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds.

They dropped to 4-8./ASC, WDJ

ILOILO 85 — Nonoy 18, Berjay 13, Cansino 12, Doliguez 11, Catapusan 9, Imperial 8, Credo 5, Gomez 4, Capacio 4, Javelosa 1, Rangel 0.

DAVAO OCCIDENTAL 78 — Manzo 14, Ighalo 12, Gamalinda 11, Lojera 9, Tumalip 7, Bayla 7, Arana 7, Lalata 6, Olayon 3, Martinez 2, Sarangay 0, Enguio 0, Andrada 0.

Quarterscores: 22-20, 39-39, 66-63, 85-78.