By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Bacolod City of Smiles dropped another close game in the 2024 MPBL Season after a 90-84 loss to the South Cotabato Warriors at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Thursday night, July 11.

Bacolod was ahead at 71-70 after a basket by Louie Vigil, but South Cotabato quickly turned things around with connections from Chris Dumapig, Kyle Tolentino and Antonio Joson to take a 79-71 advantage.

Bacolod rallied to within 75-79 on a connection from Yvan Ludovice, but the Warriors responded with hits from Tolentino, Joson and Mark Cruz to widen the lead to 88-77 with a minute left.

Dumapig finished with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds to go with two assists, to be named Player of the Game as the Warriors secured their 13th victory in 18 games.

Joson added 15 markers, including a perfect 3-of-3 shooting from the three-point area, Larry Rodriguez contributed 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while Tolentino ended with 11 points for the Warriors.

“Sinunod lang namin ‘yung game plan ng coaching staff, and sinabi ko din sa coaches na, ‘Bigyan mo lang ako ng playing time at talagang lalaro ako ng mabuti para sa team,’” Dumapig said.

Vigil top-scored for Bacolod with 26 points to go with six rebounds and one assist, Ludovice had a near triple-double of 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, while Alfred Sedillo added 13 points.

They dropped to a 1-17 win-loss card.

The next game for Bacolod City of Smiles is against fellow Negrense squad, the Negros Muscovados, at the Batangas City Coliseum on July 18 at 4:00 p.m./ASC, WDJ

SOUTH COTABATO 90 — Dumapig 16, Joson 15, Rodriguez 12, Tolentino 11, Sorela 7, Elorde 7, Cruz 7, Jamito 6, Cruz 6, Dionisio 1, Acuna 0, Landicho 0.

BACOLOD 84 — Vigil 26, Ludovice 15, Sedillo 13, Lopez 8, Peromingan 7, Marilao 6, Pardo 4, Antiporda 3, Manalang 2, Ramos 0.

Quarterscores: 17-16, 55-42, 66-59, 90-84.