Cowboys win again
THE Ilagan Isabela Cowboys struck from long range and mowed down the Bulacan Kuyas, 109-82, on Wednesday in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
Led by JR Olegario, who hit five triples en route to a game-high 22 points, the Cowboys drilled in 13 of 27 tries from beyond the arc to take the fight out of the Kuyas and tally their second win in three starts in the round-robin elimination round of the 30-team tournament.
With Olegario piling 16 points, the Cowboys pulled away at the half, 59-31, and led by as far as 67-34 on a jumper by Allen Mina with 7 minutes and 6 seconds to go in the third quarter.
Olegario, a 5-foot-7 find from Parañaque, also tallied 4 assists and 2 steals to clinch best player honors over Arth Dela Cruz, who posted 16 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals, and Mina, who tallied 16 points.
Other Cowboys who delivered for Coach Louie Gonzalez were Joshua Ramirez, who chalked 8 points, spiked by two triples, and Ryan Jay Arenal with 7 points and 6 rebounds.
Bulacan tumbled to 0-3 despite John Rey Sumido’s 21 points and RR De Leon’s 18 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
The Kuyas also got 14 points and 7 assists from Marlon John Espiritu and 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists from Art Aquino.
Last Tuesday, reigning titlist Pampanga foiled Marikina’s final rally and prevailed, 68-66 at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
With the Shoemasters threatening, 63-65, following a 9-2 run, Chris Lalata split two free throws and Archie Concepcion converted both of his two to give Pampanga a breather with 17.8 seconds left.
Although Marikina’s Joshua Roque buried a triple with 12.2 seconds left, Pampanga was able to run out the clock and climb to 2-0 in the company of Abra, Pangasinan, General Santos City, Quezon Province, Rizal and Zamboanga SIKAT.
Jhaymo Eguilos led the Giant Lanterns with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists to earn best player honors, followed by John Lloyd Clemente with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, and Concepcion with 11 points and 3 rebounds.
Marikina dropped to 0-3 in the 30-team tournament.
