The Iloilo United Royals successfully defended their homecourt after surviving a real scare from Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines in a thrilling 2019-2020 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup, 60-58 at the University of San Agustin (USA) covered gym.
Leading the way for the Ilonggos was Aaron Jeruta who sparked for a game-winning shot in the dying second of the final frame.
Jeruta, a native of Iloilo City’s Jaro district, finished with five points, seven rebounds, and four assists; while Al Francis Tamsi topscored with 17 points. Rey Publico chipped in 14 baskets and nine rebounds, while Richard Escoto contributed 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Trailing in the third canto, Iloilo got some energy in front of a huge crowd and started the scoring spree with Escoto’s inside shots in the paint
Tamsi and Ryan Arambulo also drained series of triples to cut the deficit to just one point, 53-52. Both teams exchanged high-percentage shots, before Publico earned two points at the charity stripe to get the lead back to the home team, 58-56.
With a sense of urgency, Leonard Santillan tied the game at 58-all but Jeruta answered back with his own tough layup to give Iloilo the victory. Santillan finished the match with 15 points for Zamboanga while Alvin Pasaol chipped in 14 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
With the win, Royals broke the four game winning streak of Zamboanga and improved their standing with another victory at home. IMT
