By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers got their acts together in the third overtime to pull off a 104-100 victory against the erstwhile undefeated San Juan Knights-Go for Gold in the 2024 MPBL Season at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City on Monday night, June 10.
After clawing back from 15 points down in the regulation, the Golden Coolers failed to complete their upset over the Knights until the 3rd OT, as they got early hits from Jerie Pingoy, Alwyn Alday and Bacolodnon Kraniel Villoria for a 101-96 lead.
The Knights threatened to within 100-102 on back-to-back hits from Michael Calisaan and Dexter Maiquez and still had a chance to tie the game, but Maiquez misfired on his two free throws.
Alday sealed the win for Rizal with two free throws.
Alday led the way for the Golden Coolers with 27 points, Villoria chipped in a double-double of 24 points and 10 assists, while Keith Agovida, Pingoy and Marco Balagtas had 18, 12 and 11, respectively, as they improved to an 8-4 win-loss slate.
“Kahit na umabot ng tatlong overtime, ipinakita lang namin na ‘yung composure namin nandun pa din, hindi lang kami sumuko,” Pingoy, who was hailed Player of the Game, said.
Maiquez tallied a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds, Orlan Wamar, Jr. added 19 markers, while Negrense Reynel Hugnatan contributed 11 points as the Knights dropped to a 9-1 record.
Earlier, Andrey Armenion converted a go-ahead basket as the Valenzuela Classics VA Cargo (7-6) scored an 86-85 upset over the Pasay Voyagers (7-5).
Down 84-85 after a basket by Voyagers’ Warren Bonifacio, the Classics had two chances to take the lead before becoming successful on a jump shot by Armenion with 0.6 seconds left.
Calvin Payawal led the way for the Classics with 20 points, Darell Manliguez finished with a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Christian de Chavez ended with 11.
Meanwhile, the Marikina Shoemasters (2-10) snapped their losing streak as they defeated the Bulacan Kuyas (1-11), 95-91.
Joe Gomez de Liaño tallied 26 points to earn Player of the Game honors./ASC, WDJ