Bacoor sends Iloilo packing to advance to South semis

Bacoor City fully erased the bitter taste of its Game 1 defeat after taking a series-clinching 72-61 victory over Iloilo in their quarterfinals showdown in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League playoffs before a roaring crowd at the Bacoor City Strike Gymnasium on Saturday, Oct. 21.

The Strikers made sure to not fall to the same traps when the Royals stole the first game right on home turf, this time protecting the sizable margin it established until the final buzzer.

Bacoor went off to a good start, building an early 22-12 lead and kept Iloilo at bay for the rest of the contest to set up a South semifinals clash with Zamboanga

James Kwekuteye spearheaded Bacoor City with 15 points, three rebounds and a steal while Jhaymo Eguilos added a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds with three rebounds and one block.

Jhan Nermal, likewise, put up a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds with two assists and two steals

“Unang-una siyempre nagpapasalamat tayo sa panginoon at sa Iloilo. Maraming maraming salamat din. Talagang maganda yong laban natin,” team owner and Bacoor mayor Strike Revilla

“Congratulations din sa Iloilo. Dahil alam natin na napahirapan talaga kami. But siyempre yong mga players nagpapasalamat ako at talagang binigay nila. Makikita natin talagang hindi sila sumuko. Dahil yong laban talaga nandon yung puso at talaga yong kanilang manalo,” he added.

Josh Flores paced Iloilo with 15 points, five rebounds, and one assist.