THE Quezon Huskers wasted a big lead and needed overtime to subdue the Davao Occidental Tigers 92-85 on Monday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season elimination round at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Ahead by as far as 61-33 behind Judel Fuentes’ hot hands, the Huskers turned cold in the fourth quarter where the Tigers countered with a 23-1 opening tear and eventually forced extension at 80-all on Kenneth Ighalo’s reverse layup with 17 seconds left.
The Huskers kept their poise, however, and through the combined efforts of RJ Minerva, LJ Gonzales, Gab Banal and Fuentes moved ahead 91-85 to seal their 20th win against 5 losses and keep the top spot in the South Division, which has completed its eight playoff cast, of the 29-team tournament.
Joining Quezon in the quarterfinals are Zamboanga (19-6), Batangas (17-8), Binan (17-8), Paranaque (15-10), Davao (15-11), South Cotabato (15-11) and Negros (12-15).
Fuentes posted 38 points, spiked by nine triples, to clinch the Daily Fantasy best player honors over Gonzales, who chalked 15 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Gab Banal, who tallied 11 points and 15 rebounds.
Ighalo bunched eight points opening the fourth quarter and wound up with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists for the Tigers, who got a triple-double (13 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) from Arth Dela Cruz, 13 points plus five rebounds from Keith Agovida, 12 points, five rebounds and five assists from Mark Tallo, and 10 points plus 12 rebounds from Chris Lalata.
Other games saw Quezon City TODA Aksyon stun Caloocan 77-72 and Pasay batter Bicolandia 122-106.
