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| Robby Celiz displayed another solid all-around performance for Ilagan. MPBL |
BACOOR—Ilagan escaped a last gasp from Bataan to walk away with an 80-76 win in their MPBL Thursday night clash at the STRIKE Gymnasium.
Up by 20 early in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys found themselves still needing to hold off the Risers after the latter cut the lead down to one, 77-76, with 1:22 left.
Bataan had an opportunity to take the lead after Jieboy Solis was called for an offensive foul, but Alfred Flores missed a layup on the other end.
Flores blew another chance to win it for his team as Chino Mosqueda stole his bad pass, and eventually, Robby Celiz sealed the win for Ilagan with three straight free throws.
Arth Dela Cruz led the Cowboys, who strengthened their hold of fourth place in the North Division at 11-6, with 18 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Celiz added 17 points on 6 of 9 field goals, seven rebounds, four assists, and one block off the bench.
Yves Sazon and Carl Bringas each had 11 markers for the Risers, who fell to 6-10, only one game ahead of the Marikina Shoemasters for 10th place in the North.
