By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Bacolod City Tubo Slashers suffered a close 77-75 defeat to the Sarangani Gripper Motorcycle Tire in the 2025 MPBL Season at the Batangas City Coliseum on Tuesday night, June 17.
Down 63-69 with over four minutes left in the game, the Tubo Slashers went on a 10-4 scoring run behind Chester Saldua, Renz Harold Aquino and Jaycee Sam Adjei to tie the score at 73-all.
Sarangani got free throws from Junjie Hallare and a split from Kyt Jimenez to establish a 76-75 lead, but Miles Canal managed to cut the deficit to 75-76 for Bacolod with an inside hit.
On the other end, Hallare split his free throws to restore a two-point edge for Bacolod, but Sarangani was unable to attempt from the three-point area as the final buzzer sounded.
Hallare finished with 16 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a steal to be named Player of the Game as Sarangani recorded their fifth victory in 16 matches this season.
“Alam ko na gusto rin ng Bacolod na manalo, pero mas ginusto lang din namin na maipanalo itong laro na ito,” Hallare said in a post-game interview.
“Ipinakita lang din namin ‘yung composure namin kaya nakuha namin ito,” he added.
Coy Alves came off the bench to deliver 12 points, six rebounds, three steals, two assists, and a block, while King Zean Destacamento contributed 10 points and nine rebounds for Sarangani.
Aquino top-scored for Bacolod with 18 points. Canal had a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds, while Chester Saldua contributed 10 markers as they fell to a 2-12 win-loss slate.
The Tubo Slashers will attempt to return to their winning ways as they battle the Pangasinan Heatwaves at the Pola Gymnasium in Pola, Oriental Mindoro on Saturday afternoon, June 21./ASC, WDJ
SARANGANI 77 — Hallare 16, Alves 11, Destacamento 10, Callano 9, Sunga 9, Velchez 8, Gozum 4, Morillo 3, K. Jimenez 3, B. Jimenez 2, Brillantes 2, Escalambre 0, Gomez 0.
BACOLOD 75 — Aquino 18, Canal 13, Saldua 10, Dubouzet 9, Pastias 9, Adjei 9, Movida 6, Canoy 1, Soriano 0, Intia 0, Battaller 0.
Quarterscores: 20-18, 32-36, 58-51, 77-75.