By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Dennis Santos was scorching in his return from injury as the Valenzuela Classics VA Cargo scored an 88-81 victory over Bacolod City of Smiles in the 2024 MPBL Season at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum on Saturday night, June 29.
The former St. Clare Saints-Caloocan forward finished with a career-high of 29 points, including five triples, to go with seven rebounds, two assists and a block as Valenzuela improved to an 8-8 win-loss slate.
“Ginawa ko lang ‘yung best ko, ‘yung tiwalang ibinigay sa akin ng coaches at ng mga teammates ko. ‘Yung tiwala nila hindi nawala kahit na matagal akong injured,” said Santos, who returned from a back injury.
“Galing kami sa dalawang talo and bumaba ‘yung morale ng team, kaya maganda talaga para sa team itong panalo na ito. Ganito pa din ‘yung gagawin namin sa mga next games para makapag-ipon kami ng panalo,” he added.
Mark Montuano added 18 points and eight rebounds, while Dean Paolo Hubalde finished with 12 assists, eight rebounds, seven points, and three steals for Valenzuela.
Holding to a slim 29-23 lead after the opening quarter, Valenzuela created separation from Bacolod in the second period as they cruised to a 56-41 advantage at the half.
Valenzuela went on to establish their largest lead of 17 points at 58-41 following an inside hit by Montuano, but Bacolod slowly rallied back to cut the deficit to 75-64 after three quarters.
The Classics restored a double-digit lead at 80-66 in the fourth quarter after a basket by JR Quinahan.
Bacolod made their last push behind triples by Louie Vigil, but only cut the deficit to as low as seven points.
Vigil finished with a career-high of 35 points, to go with 10 rebounds and six assists, Danny Marilao added 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Tricky Peromingan contributed 10 as Bacolod dropped to 1-15./ASC, WDJ
VALENZUELA 88 — Santos 29, Montuano 18, Macion 9, Hubalde 7, Quinahan 6, Payawal 6, Lepalam 3, Martin 3, De Chavez 3, Lacap 3, Armenion 1, Rivera 0, Delos Santos 0, Diego 0.
BACOLOD 81 — Vigil 35, Marilao 12, Peromingan 11, Pardo 7, Bulawan 6, Casinillo 5, Ramos 3, Manalang 2.
Quarterscores: 29-23, 56-41, 75-64, 88-81.