By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The 1Bataan Risers rode on a huge second quarter turnaround to defeat the Negros Muscovados, 82-62, in the 2024 MPBL Season at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan on Thursday night, September 5.
Jamil Gabawan finished with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds to go with six assists and a steal as the Risers secured their fourth straight victory on a 9-16 win-loss slate.
“Nung simula, medyo nag-struggle kami sa depensa pero nung nagising na kami, nagtulong-tulong na kami, kaya lumaki na ‘yung lamang namin hanggang dulo,” Gabawan said.
“Late na kaming nag-jell as a team, and hindi man kami [nakapasok] sa playoffs pero maganda naman kasi naka four-game winning streak kami. Pride na lang talaga ang pinaglalaban namin,” he added.
Jeff Santos led the way for the Risers with 13 points, including two three-pointers, Robbi Marion Darang added 10 markers, while Alex Ramos hauled 14 rebounds to go with seven points in the win.
Down 12-18 after the opening quarter, the Risers turned things around in the second quarter behind conversions from Gabawan, Santos and Darang to establish a 39-33 halftime lead.
The Risers continued to widen the lead in the second half via inside connections of Gabawan and Ramos, as it reached its largest at 24 points, 84-60, on a basket by James Castro.
Felipe Chavez finished with 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while John Rey Villanueva added 11 markers as the Muscovados suffered their second straight loss for a 12-15 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (21-3) dominated the South Cotabato Warriors (15-11), 94-75.
Negrense Robby Celiz top-scored for the winning team with 20 points to go with six rebounds and five assists./ASC, WDJ
BATAAN 84 — Santos 13, Gabawan 12, Darang 10, Octobre 9, Paguio 9, Maynes 9, Castro 8, Ramos 7, Vera 7, Bringas 0, Acuno 0, Sazon 0.
NEGROS 62 — Chavez 14, Villanueva 11, Peralta 8, Longa 6, Palma 6, Capobres 5, Reyes 4, Raflores 4, Geolingo 2, Gabriel 2, Gania 0, Formento 0.
Quarterscores: 12-18, 39-33, 69-48, 84-62.