By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Bacolod City of Smiles fell short in their fourth quarter uprising as they bowed to the Negros Muscovados, 96-92, in the 2024 MPBL Season at the Batangas City Coliseum on Thursday night, July 18.

Down by as much as 24 points in the third quarter, Bacolod mounted a huge run in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 87-88 via a Louie Vigil three-pointer with more than a minute left.

The Muscovados extended their lead to 91-87 on a three-point play by Felipe Chavez, but Bacolod answered with a layup from Vigil to cut the deficit to 89-91 before Chavez knocked down a triple for a 94-89 Negros advantage.

Vigil responded with a three-pointer to bring Bacolod to within 92-94 before having a chance to take the lead, but Ian Pardo missed on a wide-open three-pointer from the top.

Bacolod still had a chance to force a deadlock, but Tricky Peromingan also missed on his layup try.

Jan Formento then sealed the victory for Negros as he converted two free throws with five seconds left.

Buenaventura Raflores, Jr. led the way with a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Muscovados, which secured their eighth win in 19 games to stay in the playoff race.

Renz Palma added 13 markers, Formento ended with 12 points, while Chavez finished the game with 10 points, with six coming in the fourth quarter, to go with five assists and four rebounds for the Muscovados.

“‘Yung chemistry namin sinisimulan talaga namin sa ensayo. Palagi kaming nag-uusap-usap and [nagba]-bonding,” Raflores said in his Player of the Game interview.

“Talagang ‘yun ang tinatrabaho namin sa training,” he added.

Vigil finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, Yvan Ludovice added 21 markers, while John Derico Lopez had a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds as Bacolod suffered their 16th straight defeat for a 1-18 record.

Bacolod could have a chance to snap their losing skid as they face fellow slumping team Imus Agimat VA Drones at the Caloocan Sports Complex on July 25, while the Muscovados will battle Pangasinan Heatwaves in Pampanga on July 22./ASC, WDJ

NEGROS 96 — Raflores 22, Palma 13, Formento 12, Chavez 10, Peralta 7, Espanola 7, Cruz 7, Reyes 6, Capobres 5, Villanueva 4, Gabriel 2, Ramos 1, Lorenzo 0, Longa 0.

BACOLOD 92 — Vigil 30, Ludovice 21, Lopez 10, Antiporda 8, Peromingan 8, Marilao 7, Sedillo 4, Pardo 4, Ramos 0, Bulawan 0.

Quarterscores: 25-10, 49-31, 71-58, 96-92.