CAVITE – Iloilo United cruised to its sixth-straight victory after surviving Rizal Xentro Mall, 71-65, in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Season on Monday at the Imus Sports Complex here.
Trailing by one with 3:57 left, the Royals launched a game-changing 9-2 blast, highlighted by Alfrancis Tamsi’s triple at the 1:11 mark to put his squad up 69-65.
Jerson Prado provided the additional firepower for the Royals, scoring 10 of his 12 points in the payoff period to go along with seven rebounds and two rejections.
“Si Jerson, mare-reward talaga siya because of his hardwork eh, nakita ko yung fire niya na kumuha ng bola, kaya namin siya kinuha kasi naniniwala kami sa kakayahan niya,” said Iloilo coach Eric Gonzales.
Tamsi, on the other hand, tallied a game-high 16 points, while Richard Escoto wound up with 10 points as Iloilo tied Basilan for the fourth spot in the South Division at 15-8.
Kelvin Gregorio led the Xentro Mall-backed Golden Coolers with 15 points on a measly 6-of-16 shooting while Rommel Saliente and Jordan Rios contributed 12 markers apiece.
Rizal dropped to 4-17, tying Marikina at dead last in the North division.
The scores:
ILOILO 71 – Tamsi 16, Prado 12, Escoto 10, Jeruta 6, Rodriguez 6 Gumaru 6, Publico 4, Parker 4, Arambulo 3, Racho 2, Mahari 2, Li 0, De Joya 0, Pedrosa 0, Pantin 0.
RIZAL-XENTRO MALL 65 – Gregorio 15, Saliente 12, Rios 12, Benitez 7, Lacastesantos 6, Leynes 6, Vidal 5, Casajeros 2, Bacay 0.
Quarters: 20-11, 40-30, 56-50, 71-65.