QUEZON City inflicted Iloilo its first defeat with an 84-80 thriller in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Lakan Cup Saturday at Angeles University Foundation Gym in Pampanga.
John Tayongtong uncorked 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals, as Tonino Gonzaga added 13 points in the Capitals win to hike their record to an even 2-2.
Jomar Santos chipped in 12 points and eight boards, as Mon Mabayo got 12 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
But the victory almost slipped from the hands of Quezon City as it allowed Iloilo to battle back from a 17-point fourth quarter lead, 80-63, and got to within two, 82-80, in the final 21.8 after a Richard Escoto putback.
Clark Derige, however, was poised from the line, delivering the game-icing freebies for the Wemsap-sponsored Capitols.
Escoto topscored for the United Royals with 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals, as Samboy de Leon had 17points, nine boards, and four dimes in the defeat.
Iloilo dropped to 2-1 for the season.
The Scores:
QUEZON CITY 84 -- Tayongtong 20, Gonzaga 13, Santos 12, Mabayo 12, Barua 8, Black 6, Derige 4, Caranguian 4, Sison 3, Carongoy 2, Medina 0, Castro 0, Gadon 0.
ILOILO 80 -- Escoto 22, De Leon 17, Mahari 9, Tamsi 8, Jeruta 8, Publico 6, Parker 4, Javelosa 2, Arambulo 2, De Joya 2, Gumaru 0, Pedrosa 0, Rodriguez 0, Sinco 0, Li 0.
Quarters: 27-25, 45-39, 69-60, 84-80.
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