By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Bacolod City of Smiles continued their slump in the 2024 MPBL Season as they lost to the Pasay Voyagers, 77-67, at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga on Thursday night, July 4.

Even with another effort to turn things around late in the fourth quarter, Bacolod fell short anew as they suffered their 14th consecutive defeat to drop to a 1-16 win-loss slate.

Bacolod took an early 12-10 lead on three-point hits by Alfred Sedillo, but Pasay responded with a run to tie the score at 18-all before taking a 24-18 edge on back-to-back triples from Paul Manalang and Jasper Salenga.

Bacolod kept the match close early in the second frame as they trailed 27-29, but Pasay pulled away to a 36-27 lead before the Bacolodnons got conversions from Yvan Ludovice and Louie Vigil to force a 38-all deadlock at the half.

Pasay kicked off the third quarter with a 14-0 scoring blast from Dhon Reverente and Warren Bonifacio to take a 52-38 edge, but Bacolod countered with a run to cut the deficit to 55-62.

The Voyagers restored order in the fourth quarter as they zoomed to their biggest lead at 77-60 on an AJ Coronel basket before Bacolod made their last push, but they were only able to cut the deficit to as low as 10 points.

Reverente finished with a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds, Bonifacio added 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Laurenz Victoria contributed 12 markers as Pasay improved to a 9-7 win-loss slate.

“Ibinabalik ko lang ‘yung tiwala na ibinibigay sa akin ng coaches at ng team management,” Reverente said.

“Maganda naman ‘yung chemistry namin with teammates so, hopefully, magiging maganda ‘yung campaign namin,” he added.

Sedillo finished with 23 points, including two three-pointers, to go with six rebounds and three assists, while Louie Vigil added 13 markers, 11 rebounds and six assists for Bacolod.

Bacolod City of Smiles will once again try to end their losing skid as they battle the South Cotabato Warriors at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay on July 11 at 6:00 p.m./ASC, WDJ

PASAY 77 — Reverente 20, Bonifacio 17, Victoria 12, Inigo 8, Coronel 8, Manalang 5, Salenga 3, Hilario 2, Tabi 2, Sienes 0, Aguirre 0, Quilatan 0, Chan 0, Lustina 0, Canal 0.

BACOLOD 67 — Sedillo 23, Vigil 13, Bulawan 8, Peromingan 6, Ludovice 5, Antiporda 3, Manalang 3, Lopez 2, Marilao 2, Ramos 2, Pardo 0.

Quarterscores: 24-18, 38-38, 62-55, 77-67.