BASILAN came back from a 15-point deficit to thwart the Bicol Volcanoes, 70-65, in a much-anticipated Pool B showdown in the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational powered by TM on Saturday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Michael Juico finished with 24 big points on 7-of-13 shooting to go along with six rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the close win that saw Basilan rally from an early 15-point deficit.
Big man JR Taganas, who drew Mark Yee’s fifth foul, split his free throws to extend the Jumbo Plastic-backed team’s lead to two, 67-65, with 47.2 seconds remaining in the game. Then, after a missed jumper by Cebuano Macmac Tallo, Jay Collado earned another split from the stripe with 11.4 ticks left to spread the margin to three.
Dennis Santos tried to tie the game with a three-point attempt but missed and Ernesto Bondoc sealed the victory for Basilan with a fastbreak layup.
“They built a big lead at the start between the first and second quarter we were down by 15,” said Cabiltes as Bicol put up a 26-11 lead in the second quarter. “I just told the boys not to give up and to stay with our system and to keep the pressure on.”
Collado contributed 15 points and seven boards while team skipper Jonathan Uyloan had 11 points, three steals, and two rebounds for Basilan.
Aside from securing its first win, Basilan also spoiled Bicol head coach Aldin Ayo’s return to five-on-five coaching.
Santos drained six three-pointers to finish with 22 points laced with four rebounds for the Volcanoes. Ralph Tansingco added 13 points while Tallo, who went off in the fourth frame, ended with 12 points, five assists, and three rebounds.