By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Negros Muscovados failed to sustain their winning ways in the 2024 MPBL Season after a 110-83 loss to the Parañaque Patriots at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan City, Laguna on Thursday night, August 29.
With the defeat, the Muscovados dropped to a 12-14 win-loss card, but are still close to a playoff spot in the Southern Division.
Joshua Gallano finished with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds to go with four assists to be named Player of the Game as the Patriots notched their second straight win for a 15-9 win-loss slate.
Gallano said that, while he emerged as the top-scorer in the game, it was a total team effort by the Patriots that led to their wire-to-wire victory against fellow playoff-bound Muscovados.
“Nagtutulungan kami sa practice and pagdating sa game naman is mino-motivate namin ‘yung isa’t isa. Talagang parang isang pamilya na kami dito sa Parañaque,” Gallano said.
John Umali, Kristan Hernandez and Jielo Razon added 14, 12 and 11 points, respectively, John Uduba had a triple-double of 10 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists, while JR Olegario and Paolo Castro ended with 10 apiece for the Patriots.
Holding to a slim 30-24 lead after the opening quarter, the Patriots started to pull away from the Muscovados in the second period behind Razon, Hernandez, Gallano, and Olegario for a 56-41 halftime advantage.
The Patriots continued their run in the second half with conversions from Olegario, Umali and Gallano as the lead reached its largest at 28 points at 106-78 on a layup by Uduba.
Renz Palma top-scored for the Muscovados with 17 points, Alvin Capobres added 12 markers, while Buenaventura Raflores, Jr. and Jonjon Gabriel had 11 and 10, respectively.
The Muscovados will attempt to return to their winning ways against the 1Bataan Risers at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum on September 5 at 6:00 p.m./ASC, WDJ
PARAÑAQUE 110 — Gallano 19, Umali 14, Hernandez 12, Razon 11, Olegario 10, Castro 10, Uduba 10, Sarao 9, Pido 4, Loyola 4, Manalang 2, Abugan 2, Elorde 2, Martel 1.
NEGROS 83 — Palma 17, Capobres 12, Raflores 11, Gabriel 10, Chavez 7, Formento 7, Espanola 5, Geolingo 5, Peralta 4, Lorenzo 3, Gania 2, Reyes 0, Longa 0, Ramos 0.
Quarterscores: 30-24, 56-41, 80-60, 110-83.