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The Iloilo United Royals flirted with disaster before besting Imus Bandera in overtime, 73-69, while the Marikina Shoemasters withstood Bacolod Master Sardines’ fightback to prevail, 67-64, in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season at Marist School Gym in Marikina.
Trailing, 57-64, the Royals bunched seven points to force extension as both teams failed to score in the last two minutes of regulation.
Given a new lease on life, the Royals leaned on Richard Escoto, Aaron Jeruta and Al Francis Tamsi to tally their fourth straight victory and climb to 13-8 in the South division of the 31-team field.
Escoto wound up with 20 points and 9 rebounds, while Rey Publico and Jerson Prado provided solid support with identical lines of 11 points plus 12 rebounds. Tamsi contributed 11 points and 6 rebounds.
The Khaleb Shawarma-backed Bandera, who dropped to 5-18, got 17 points and 9 rebounds from Justine Arana and 10 points plus 12 rebounds from Jeric Nacpil.
It was a bitter loss for Bacolod as it rallied from 20 points down (14-34) in the second quarter to finally seize the lead at 61-60 until 66-65 on a layup by Benedict Adamos.
The 6-foot-6 center, however, failed to sustain his form as he missed two free throws with 10 seconds to go, allowing Von Tambeling to grab the defensive rebound and score the marginal basket with 2 seconds left.
Tambeling sparkled for Marikina, which improved to 4-17 in the North division, with 16 points, including the Shoemasters’ last six and snared 6 rebounds.
Daryl Pascual supported Tambeling with 11 points and 11 rebounds and so did Mat Gines with 11 points.
Bacolod which tasted its seventh straight defeat and fell to 6-15 got 17 and 12 points, respectively, from Pao Javelona and Mikee Reyes.
