By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Jan Formento delivered a career-high performance as the Negros Muscovados prevailed over the Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers, 103-94, in the 2024 MPBL Season at the Olivarez College Gym in Parañaque City on Monday night, July 8.
The former Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers guard finished with an MPBL-high of 28 points, including four three-pointers, as the Muscovados notched their third straight victory for a 7-10 win-loss slate.
Jonjon Gabriel tallied a double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds, Jeremy Cruz added 16 markers, while Renz Palma and Buenaventura Raflores, Jr. ended with 12 points each for Negros.
The Muscovados jumped to an 18-9 start behind conversions from Gabriel and Felipe Chavez.
It grew further to 27-14 late in the opening quarter with connections from Cruz and Palma.
Negros continued their run in the second quarter as the lead reached as high as 25 points at 48-23 after a three-pointer by Palma, but Rizal responded with a late run to cut the deficit to 44-59 at the half.
The Golden Coolers pulled even closer at 54-66 midway through the third period, but the Muscovados responded with inside hits from Gabriel and Formento to widen the lead to 81-66.
Rizal threatened anew in the final quarter, cutting the deficit to as low as 77-84 with seven minutes left, but back-to-back three-pointers by Raflores and Cruz secured the win for Negros.
“Talagang pinagtrabahuhan namin ‘yung depensa namin kasi ‘yung opensa darating ‘yun kapag maganda ang depensa namin,” Gabriel said during his Player of the Game interview.
“Bilang isa sa mga beterano dito sa Negros, tinuturo ko sa mga teammates ko kung papaano mandaya sa depensa at paano ‘yung tamang depensa. ‘Yung opensa naman lahat kami meron nun,” he added.
Alwyn Alday finished with a season-high of 37 points, including seven three-pointers, while John Apacible and Kraniel Villoria had 16 points apiece as the Golden Coolers dropped to a 9-8 record./ASC, WDJ
NEGROS 103 — Formento 28, Gabriel 23, Cruz 16, Raflores 12, Palma 12, Chavez 7, Reyes 2, Atabay 2, Capobres 1, Villanueva 0, Gania 0, Geolingo 0, Longa 0, Ramos 0, Peralta 0.
RIZAL 94 — Alday 37, Villoria 16, Apacible 16, Balagtas 7, Gamalinda 7, Acidre 6, Pingoy 3, Alonzo 2, Salcedo 0, Bernardo 0, Jimenez 0, Timajo 0, Serrano 0, Gob 0, Labayen 0.
Quarterscores: 27-14, 59-44, 81-66, 103-94.