NUEVA Ecija had to endure overtime before subduing San Juan 89-83 last Monday, forcing a deciding Game 3 in the North division title series in the OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika PIlipinas Basketball League) 4th Season Presented by Xtreme at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
The Rice Vanguards survived the horror of losing a 26-point lead 46-20 in the second quarter then banked on JR Taganas and Hesed Gabo in the extra period to avenge their 72-79 loss to the Knights last Friday at home.
The burly Taganas fired 19 points, including a dagger of a three with 48 seconds left; snared 15 rebounds and pulled off 2 steals to earn best player honors. Gabo fired five of his 18 points in that span.
Game 3 will be held this Friday at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.
Renz Palma was the other Rice Vanguard in twin digits with 10. Jay Collado also did his share with 7 points, including 4 in overtime, and 5 rebounds.
Trailing 66-76 with 4:13 to go, the Knights put up one final push, holding the Rice Vanguards scoreless the rest of regulation play while coming through with 10 on a triple by Dexter Maiquez and the last seven by Judel Fuentes, who finished with 27 points but only two in overtime.
San Juan also got 14 points from Marwin Taywan, who sparked the comeback with back-to-back triples opening the third quarter, and 10 points from Michael Calisaan.
Despite shooting badly, San Juan persevered behind Fuentes and cut the gap somewhat, 30-49, at the half.
