MANILA -- Iloilo kept its poise down the stretch to edge Rizal, 71-65, and bolster its playoff bid in the MPBL Lakan Season at the Imus City Sports Complex on Monday night.
In control for most of the first half, the United Royals found themselves engaging in a tight encounter with the Golden Coolers in the second half as the latter even took the lead, 63-62, with 3:55 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Four straight points from Jerson Prado put Iloilo back up, 66-63, with 2:28 to go.
Kelvin Gregorio kept Rizal in the game with a layup to trim the lead down to one, 66-65, with 1:28 left, but Alfrancis Tamsi buried the dagger triple with 1:09 to play that gave Iloilo a two-possession game while his teammates kept Rizal scoreless from thereon.
Tamsi put up 16 points, one rebound, and one assist for the United Royals, who tied the Basilan Steel again for fourth place in the Southern Division standings at 15-8.
Prado added 12 points, seven rebounds, one assist, two blocks, and one steal.
Gregorio finished with 15 markers, six boards, and one dime for the Golden Coolers, who are now facing outright elimination as they dropped to 4-16. (PNA)
