By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Biñan Tatak Gel Beast Motorcycle GameX leaned on a huge finishing run to frustrate Bacolod City of Smiles, 87-77, in the 2024 MPBL Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna on Thursday night, August 8.

Holding to a slim 72-70 lead midway through the fourth period, Biñan went on a 15-2 scoring run behind Pierce Tyron Chan, Anthony Helterbrand, Jonathan Grey, and Kenny Rogers Rocacurva to take an 87-72 lead.

Bacolod still tried to make their last push with less than a minute left, but Louie Vigil could not complete his three trips to the free throw area as they settled for a 10-point defeat.

Rocacurva top-scored for Biñan with 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals to be named Player of the Game as they returned to their winning ways for a 12-8 record.

“Mas naging aggressive lang ako nung first quarter pa lang kasi gusto talaga naming bumawi dun sa previous loss namin,” Rocacurva said, referring to Biñan’s 82-81 loss to Zamboanga City Family’s Brand Sardines on Monday, August 5.

“Mahalaga din talaga sa amin na nakuha namin itong panalo na ito. Kailangan namin ng momentum kasi malapit na ang playoffs and malalakas na ‘yung mga next na games namin,” he added.

Jaymar Gimpayan added 14 points and eight rebounds, Rommel Niño Cañaleta contributed 12 points and six rebounds, while Chan ended with 11 points, all in the fourth quarter, for Biñan.

Vigil top-scored for Bacolod with 27 points, but missed six of his 17 free throw attempts.

Rashawn McCarthy had 10 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Danny Marilao ended with 10.

They dropped to a 1-20 record./ASC, WDJ

BIÑAN 87 — Rocacurva 18, Gimpayan 14, Cañaleta 12, Chan 11, Raymundo 8, Helterbrand 6, Lopez 5, Manalang 5, Grey 4, Alonte 2, Maestre 2, Alabanza 0, Peñaredondo 0, Mangahas 0.

BACOLOD 77 — Vigil 27, Marilao 10, McCarthy 10, Lopez 9, Ludovice 7, Peromingan 5, Antiporda 5, Pardo 2, Bulawan 2, Ramos 0.

Quarterscores: 26-21, 41-47, 67-68, 87-77.