By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Rafael Are stepped up in the fourth quarter as the Quezon City TODA Aksyon scored a come-from-behind 83-79 victory over the Negros Muscovados in the 2024 MPBL Season at the FPJ Arena in San Jose City, Batangas on Tuesday night, June 11.

Scoreless in the first three quarters, Are unloaded all of his 12 points in the final period, including two three-pointers, as Quezon City snapped their two-game losing skid to improve to a 5-7 win-loss slate.

“Nagtulungan lang kami lahat. Thankful din ako sa coaches at ibinalik ako sa fourth quarter kahit na wala akong na-contribute nung first half,” Are said in his Player of the Game interview.

Down 58-67 with eight minutes in the game, Are knocked down two three-pointers and a perimeter hit to bring Quezon City to within 66-67, but Negros extended the lead to 69-66 with a Renz Palma basket.

Quezon City continued their run with a three-pointer from Kenji Roman, free throws from Rhinwill Yambing and Are, and a three-pointer from Yambing for a 75-69 advantage with three minutes left.

Negros threatened to within two points several times, but Quezon City responded with free throws from Yambing and Are to stretch the advantage to 83-79 with nine ticks remaining.

Yambing led the way for Quezon City with 23 points, nine rebounds, three steals, one assist, and a block, while Roman hauled 13 rebounds to go with seven markers in the win.

Palma top-scored for the slumping Muscovados with 27 points to go with six rebounds and four assists, while Hubert Cani and James Una added 17 and 11 points, respectively, as they dropped to a 4-9 card./ASC, WDJ

QUEZON CITY 83 — Yambing 23, Are 12, Gesalem 9, Sawat 8, Mosqueda 7, Roman 7, Nimes 6, Tibayan 4, Desoyo 3, Ballesteros 2, Cauilan 2, Bienes 0, Cosari 0.

NEGROS 79 — Palma 27, Cani 17, Una 11, Longa 8, Comia 6, Capobres 4, Cruz 4, Bacay 2, Geolingo 0, Ramos 0, Atabay 0.

Quarterscores: 16-19, 41-40, 55-62, 83-79.