By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Bacolod City of Smiles sustained a lopsided 120-77 defeat to Quezon City TODA Aksyon in the 2024 MPBL Season at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City on Monday night, August 19.
The Bacolodnons only had their five players — Jamel Ramos, John Lopez, Yvan Ludovice, Danny Marilao, and Ian Pardo — for the entire game as they dropped their 20th consecutive match.
Interestingly absent for Bacolod are key players Louie Vigil, Rashawn McCarthy, Jose Antiporda, Tricky Peromingan, Jebb Bulawan, and homegrown player Alfred Sedillo.
Watchmen Daily Journal reached out to the Bacolod City of Smiles management regarding their badly shorthanded lineup against Quezon City, but they have yet to respond as of press time.
This was not the first time Bacolod was reduced to just five players this season, as it also occurred during their 115-73 loss to the Abra Weavers on June 3.
During that time, it was the delayed salaries of the players that was pointed out as the reason why some Bacolod players opted not to suit up against Abra.
Quezon City quickly took advantage of a decimated opponent as they surged to a 28-18 lead in the opening quarter before widening it to 59-43 at the half.
Bacolod still tried to fight back in the third as they cut the deficit to 65-77, but Quezon City went on a huge run in the fourth period to increase the lead to as high as 43 points.
Abdul Sawat led Quezon City with 23 points, Chino Mosqueda and Rhilwill Yambing had 16 and 14, respectively, while JJ Gesalem and JP Cauilan had 11 each as they improved to 10-13.
Ludovice top-scored for Bacolod with 25 points, Ramos added 19 markers, while Marilao and Pardo had 13 and 11, respectively, as they dropped to a 1-22 win-loss card./ASC, WDJ
QUEZON CITY 120 — Sawat 23, Mosqueda 16, Yambing 14, Cauilan 11, Gesalem 11, Ladimo 9, Estrella 8, Cosari 8, Bienes 6, Tauto-An 4, Josef 4, Are 2, Cani 2, Tibayan 2, Ballesteros 0.
BACOLOD 77 — Ludovice 25, Ramos 19, Marilao 13, Pardo 11, Lopez 9.
Quarterscores: 28-18, 59-43, 79-65, 120-77.