Tallo stars for Bicol in Chooks MPBL Invitational

Mac Tallo

Bicol didn't take long in bouncing back from their opening day defeat at the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League powered by TM.

The Volcanoes snagged an 80-68 victory over Laguna-Krah asia on Sunday, with Mac Tallo leading the way with eighteen points, seven rebounds, and a couple of assists.

Head coach Aldin Ayo shared post-match, "We played well today compared to our performance yesterday, but based on what we've seen, although we are in the tournament already, we are still a work in progress." He added, "If you noticed, yesterday we shot 50 three-point shots and we made only 11. That means trigger happy lahat eh. Everybody wants to score although we've discussed that already pero siyempre first game, excited."

After a narrow 65-70 loss to Basilan, Bicol put up a much better effort against the Heroes, eventually erecting a 71-52 lead in the fourth quarter.

Kent Lao nailed three triples on his way to fourteen points, with Ralph Tansingco adding ten markers, three rebounds, and a couple of assists. Dennis Santos followed up his 22-point outing with eight in the win.

Kim Aurin led Laguna with thirteen points, six rebounds, and three assists in their opening match of the invitational. MJ Dela Virgen and AJ Coronel each added eleven markers.

Bicol hopes to secure back-to-back wins as they face Makati on Wednesday at noon, whilst Laguna gets a quick turnaround against Marikina on Monday at 730pm.

The Scores:

Bicol-LCC Malls 80 - Tallo 18, Lao 14, Tansingco 10, Santos 8, Marcelino 7, Cruz 5, Huang 4, Lanete 4, Yee 4, Pericas 2, Luib 2, Gabawan 2

Laguna-Krah Asia 68 - Aurin 13, Coronel 11, Dela Virgen 11, Fajarito 10, Serios 7, Rivera 5, Guiab 4, Fuentes 3, Charcos 2, Laban 2, Anonuevo 0, Saguiguit 0

Quarterscores: 14-12, 36-23, 54-39, 80-68

Bacolod keeps MPBL postseason hopes alive with narrow Bicol win

Yankie Haruna attempts a layup

Bacolod Master Sardines kept themselves in postseason race of the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Season, fending off Bicol LCC Stores in overtime, 76-72, Monday at the Imus Sports Complex.
After Volcanoes big man Chris Lalata made the first two points of the extra period at the 4:30 mark, Bacolod's defense clamped on their foes, holding them scoreless for the remainder of the game.

The trio of Pao Javelona, Ben Adamos, and Edgar Charcos punched in the buckets for the Master Sardines-backed squad.

"That's what I am trying to make in this team, a defensive team, kasi I am more of a defensive coach. Ngayon ko lang talaga nakuha yung mga players na gusto ko na susunod sa sistema," Bacolod coach Vic Ycasiano said.

Ralph Tansingco had fifteen points and five rebounds, while Adamos added eleven markers and seven boards as the Master Sardines-backed Bacolod improved to 8-15 for 11th place in the South division.

Javelona sent the game to overtime after he made a floater with 9.3 ticks left in the fourth frame, tying things up at 70. Bicol had the chance to win the game in regulation, but Ronjay Buenafe never got a chance to take a shot in the ensuing play.

Yankee Haruna, Jopher Custodio, and Jess Villahermosa each punched in ten points for Bacolod.

Alwyn Alday paced the LCC Stores-backed Volcanoes with 23 points, seven boards, and seven dimes.

Bicol saw their five-game winning streak snapped as they slipped to 13-12.

The Scores:

BACOLOD-MASTERS SARDINES 76 - Tansingco 15, Adamos 11, Villahermosa 10, Custodio 10, Haruna 10, Javelona 8, Charcos 7, Saitanan 4, Gayosa 1, Cañada 0, Camacho 0, Reyes 0, Cauilan 0.

BICOL-LCC STORES 72 - Alday 23, Ongteco 12, Lalata 11, Buenafe 9, Garcia 6, Aldave 4, Mondragon 4, Gusi 3, Guerrero 0, Olea 0, Manalang 0.

Quarterscores: 21-13, 43-34, 57-53, 70-70, 76-72.