John Ferriols knocked in the baskets that counted most as the Negros Slashers repeated over the Laguna Lakers, 98-89, yesterday in the MBA FedEx Crossover Cup before a cheering crowd at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod.
Ferriols, the league's inaugural MVP, fired 14 of his season-high 41 points in the final quarter, including six in the last two minutes that powered the Slashers to a repeat of their 95-94 win last week in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
Negros thus hiked its win-loss record to 2-1, while the Lakers dropped to 1-2.
Ferriols, who pulled down 13 rebounds for good measure, drew solid support from Maui Huelar, Leo Bat-og, Egay Ignacio and the De la Rosa brothers, who combined for 51 points.
Over at the Mail & More Sports Complex in San Andres, Alex Compton marked his return by firing a game-high 39 points as the Manila Metrostars toppled the visiting SOCSKSARGEN Marlins, 92-80.