By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Parañaque Patriots leaned on a huge second-half breakaway to defeat Bacolod City of Smiles, 111-82, in the 2024 MPBL Season at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Thursday night, September 12.

John Paul Sarao tallied 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 16 minutes of action to be named Player of the Game as the Patriots notched their 16th victory in 26 matches.

“Sinabihan lang kami ng coaches nung halftime na magpakita ng maganda sa second half kasi papunta na kaming playoffs. Hindi maganda kung ganun lang ‘yung lalaruin namin in this game,” Sarao said.

“Siguro ang kailangan pa naming i-improve is ‘yung defense namin and ‘yung team chemistry, kasi ‘yung offense will follow naman eh. Masusubukan talaga kami sa next games namin,” he added.

John Uduba also finished with 19 points to go with five rebounds, two assists and a steal, while John Anthony Umali ended with 16 points, including four triples, for the Patriots.

Holding to a slim 45-42 lead at the half, the Patriots went on a huge run in the third quarter behind inside conversions by Sarao and Jielo Razon, and outside shots from Umali for an 85-64 advantage.

Parañaque opened the fourth period with back-to-back three-pointers by Umali, followed by inside attacks from Chris Loyola as the lead reached its largest at 29 points at 111-82.

Tricky Peromingan led Bacolod with 20 points and nine rebounds, Louie Vigil added 15 markers, while Jamel Ramos and Jose Antiporda had 12 and 10 points, respectively.

They dropped to a 1-25 mark./ASC, WDJ

PARAÑAQUE 111 — Sarao 19, Uduba 19, Umali 16, Razon 9, Loyola 8, Gallano 7, Castro 6, Manalang 5, Martel 5, Olegario 5, Pido 5, Hernandez 4, Elorde 3.

BACOLOD 82 — Peromingan 20, Vigil 15, Ramos 12, Antiporda 10, Sedillo 7, Galit 6, Marilao 6, Pardo 6.

Quarterscores: 28-23, 45-42, 85-64, 111-82.