Following a blowout win in the opening match, Iloilo United Royals failed to sustain its momentum after being beaten by Pasig-Sta. Lucia Realtors, 90-69 in the Chooks-To-Go MPBL Invitational on Monday, Dec. 13, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Ilonggo cagers started the match with hot hands, converting series of shots to accumulate big points. However, they turned cold in the second half, which was took advantage by their opponents.
Hanging around midway, United Royals tied the game at 57-all but the Realtors went on a huge rally behind Fran Yu, King Calaripio and Jhaps Bautista for a 69-59 edge.
Showing a sluggish ball game, Iloilo couldn’t find an opening shot while three-point baskets by Yu and Cedrick Ablaza and inside conversions by Justin Arana took the largest lead in the game, 88-65.
Ryan Costelo starred for the Realtors with 15 points. Arana added 14 markers and nine rebounds, while Ablaza and Yu ended up with 13 and 11 markers, respectively.
Levi Hernandez carried the Ilonggos with 14 points, while Aaron Jeruta and John Mahari added 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
With the win, the Realtors are now at second place in Group A with 1-0 win-loss record, while the United Royals dropped to third spot with 1-1 slate.
In another game, Ichie Altamirano provided the sparks for the All-Star Bacolod Ballers as they defeated Negros Muscovados, 68-67. The Ballers are now solo on top with 2-0, while Muscovados dropped to 0-2.
Altamirano drew a foul and drained two crucial free throws to retake a 68-67 lead with 12 seconds left in the dying seconds of the game. The Muscovados still had a last opportunity to snatch the game but they failed to capitalize on their end with Ralph Dinolan losing the ball to Kraniel Villoria as time expired.
Altamirano finished the match with 13 points and four rebounds, while John Karlo Casiño added 15 markers, including 11 converted free throws, for the Ballers.IMT Sports
