Iloilo scored the first win of the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational after trouncing Negros, 83-77, on the very first game of the tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Saturday, Dec. 11.
The United Royals asserted control of the fourth quarter after the Muscovados showed that they were no pushovers despite being the regional league’s newcomers.
Just when Iloilo thought it would be cruising to a blowout win after taking a 48-39 halftime lead, Negros came alive in the third quarter and cut the lead to just one, 61-60, entering the fourth.
United Royals coach Eric Gonzales said the near-collapse was a sign that his team was still not at its peak strength.
“Talagang work in progress. Ang basa ko kasi 50 percent pa lang sila (They are still a work in progress. I project that they are still at 50 percent strength). We’re trying to fast-track everything, pero sa totoo lang, kita mo naman sandali lang hindi mo mababad yung mga player na gusto mo mababad (but to tell you the truth, you can see that after a few minutes, you cannot keep the players you want to play longer on the court),” Gonzales said after the game. “Kailangan mong mag-rotate ng mabilis, talagang malayong malayo pa sa gusto kong mapuntahan (You need to rotate quicker, far from my plans).”
The United Royals restored order by reinstating a 10-point cushion, 76-66, midway through the fourth period and never looked back.
Chito Jaime led Iloilo with 18 points and two rebounds, while Aaron Jeruta and Donald Gumaru each added 12 markers.
JP Maguiliano collected a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds with one assist and three steals off the bench.
Jafet Claridad fired 19 points, four rebounds, and three steals for Negros.
