The Pasay Voyagers and Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers took different routes toward victories in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season elimination round on Tuesday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The Voyagers withstood the Iloilo United Royals’ final assault to prevail, 81-77, in the nightcap while the Rizal Golden Coolers stormed ahead in the third quarter on the way to a 71-59 victory over Quezon City TODA Aksyon in the opener.
South Cotabato weathered Negros’repeated assaults to tally an 81-74 victory in the second game and climb to a 5-3 card.
Kyle Tolentino posted 23 points, including 7 triples, 8 rebounds and 2 assists to spearhead the Warriors, who also got a lift from Christian Fajarito with 16 points and 7 rebounds, and John Wilson with 14 points and 5 rebounds.
Ahead, 77-68, on a triple by Warren Bonifacio, the Voyagers nearly tumbled after the United Royals unloaded 9 points against a free throw by Laurenz Victoria, 78-77, with still 1 minute and 12 seconds to go.
AJ Coronel, however, came to the Voyagers’ rescue with a free throw and a lay-up that forged their fifth win in seven starts, the same card as the Golden Coolers.
Pasay greeted the third quarter with a 10-point cluster triggered by Warren Bonifacio to pull away, 54-35, and were never headed by Iloilo, which dropped to 2-5.
Bonifacio wound up with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists to clinch best player honors over Victoria, who pooled 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Coronel and Patrick Sleat contributed 9 points each for the Voyagers.
Rizal led by as far as 51-31 behind Alwyn Alday, who tallied 17 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists. He was backed by Kraniel Victoria with 14 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals and homegrown John Apacible with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Quezon City dropped to 3-4 as only homegrown Rafael Are broke twin digits with 11 points. Jason Ballesteros came through with 9 points plus 11 rebounds, while Jerie Pingoy pooled 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.
The Negros Muscovados suffered their fifth straight defeat after winning their first three despite getting 20 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists from Renz Palma, 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists from Enrique Caunan and 13 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals from Hubert Cani.
