MPBL: Jai Reyes shines as Laguna bounces back

Jai Reyes for Laguna Heroes. Photo from Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

Jai Reyes took over in the fourth quarter to lift Laguna past Pasig, 83-75, for its first win in the 2018 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup late Tuesday night at Pasig Sports Center.

Reyes, the former Ateneo Blue Eagle, scored nine of his game-high 21 points in the final frame to silence the home crowd and hold off the Pirates.

“We’re relieved to get this win because we’ve been preparing for so long in the preseason and we lost our first game at home,” said Reyes during a TV interview shortly after the game.

“Finally, we can now play more relaxed,” he added.

Reyes was steady as the Pirates threatened. He accounted for the Heroes’ first nine points in the fourth period, where they rebuilt a double-digit lead, 73-63, with 7:21 left.

Former pro Denok Miranda added 15 points while a pair of ex-University of the East players Ralf Olivares and Lord Casajeros also gave Laguna a lift.

Olivares had nine points and eight rebounds while Casajeros tallied 14 points and four rebounds in only less than 12 minutes off the bench.

Marlon Monte paced the Pirates, who dropped to 0-2, with 17 points