Delivering the killer blows down the stretch, Iloilo United Royals easily eliminated Caloocan Excellence, 80-69, to punch the ticket for the 2021 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational quarterfinals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Providing the sparks for the Ilonggos, John Mahari tallied 16 points while Donald Gumaru bucketed 10 markers. Jayson David, on the other hand, secured 10 rebounds on top of five points.
The Iloilo-based team ranked second in Pool D, with a 4-1 win-loss slate. They are set to face either San Juan or Nueva Ecija in the knockout quarterfinals.
In the early going, the United Royals were relentless, assaulting a 12-4 lead that led to a 23-11 start. Caloocan failed to crawl back, giving the Royals the much-needed victory.
Josef Peñaredondo starred Caloocan with 19 points. RJ Escobal added 13 markers, while Mon Mabayo and Paolo Javillonar put up double-doubles, with the former shooting 11 points and 14 rebounds while the latter had 10 points and 13 rebounds.
According to United Royals head coach Eric Gonzales, despite them being assured of a quarterfinals seat, he still urged his wards to go hard against the also-ran Excellence to maintain their momentum heading into the playoffs.
“Ang mahirap kasi is ‘yung nagre-relax kasi nakuha na nga namin ‘yung playoff spot,” Gonzales said. “Kailangan ‘yung mentality namin is doing the right thing and executing the game plan as much as possible. ‘Yung 50-50 balls at ‘yung hustle points dapat amin.”
Meanwhile, Negros Muscovados bowed to Bacoor Strikers, following an 87-86 defeat behind the game-winning shot of Jess Quilatan.
It was almost a lost possession for the Strikers. Richard Albo lost control of the ball but teammate Quilatan was there to pick up the loose ball and drain the game-winning basket with 2.1 ticks left in the match.IMT Sports
