Pangasinan routs Bacolod in MPBL

The Pangasinan Heatwaves turned hot in the fourth quarter and torched Bacolod City of Smiles, 84-70, on Monday in the MPBL Sixth Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.

Barely ahead, 53-52, after three quarters, the Heatwaves dropped 25 points against just four for the Bacolenos to pull away for good, 78-56, and tally their fifth win against 8 losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.

Jhapz Bautista poured 8 of his 10 points in that span, followed by Joshua Fontanilla with 6 of his 7, and Michael Mabulac with 5 of his team-high 18 in that span to overwhelm the Bacolenos, whose record tumbled to 1-13.

Mabulac added 11 rebounds and 4 assists, Hesed Gabo posted 12 points, 4 steals and 3 assists, and Ed Daquiaog 10 points plus 2 rebounds.

Bacolod slid to 1-13 despite the 24-point, 11-rebound, 4-assist effort of Louie Vigil, the 13-point, 8-rebound, 3-assist output of Danny Marilao and the 12-point, 5-rebound, 2-assist production of Nichole John Ubalde.

Alaminos Mayor Bryan Celeste knocked in a triple to push Pangasinan ahead, 37-34, but Bacolod countered with 2 free throws by Alfred Sedillo and 1 by LA Casinilio, to forge the game’s sixth and last deadlock.

The MPBL visits the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga on Tuesday, June 8 for another triple bill. Negros battles Davao at 4 p.m., Quezon City tackles Pasay at 6 p.m., and Valenzuela clashes with Pampanga at 8 p.m.