SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- The Pampanga Dragons struggled early on but came to life in the final period to open their campaign in the 2000 Metropolitan Basketball Association season with a 93-82 drubbing of the Iloilo Megavoltz yesterday at the Bren Guiao Convention Center here.
The host team drew big plays from Bong Alvarez and Ato Morano in the payoff quarter as it overcame a listless stint in the first 36 minutes of play to scuttle Iloilo's bid.
An easy basket by Long David off a steal by Alvarez and a passing error by Iloilo playmaker Dale Singson in the closing minute settled the outcome of the game.
Thus, Pampanga, now handled by former Laguna mentor Bonnie Garcia, became the third team to break into the win-column this season after Manila and Laguna during the inaugurals Sunday.
The Dragons were ahead by only two points at 84-82 before Alvarez and Morano keyed a decisive run that had the team breaking the game open at 89-82.
Singson and Nestor Echano carried the fight for Iloilo which forced a 48-all standoff at halftime and a 67-all count after the third period