ZAMBOANGA Family’s Brand Sardines pulled off a 95-93 overtime squeaker over Pasig MCW Sports last Tuesday in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Zamboanga was given up for dead in regulation after Pasig’s Jason Ballesteros’ scored on a go-ahead drive 95-94. Thinking there was no time left, the Pasig players hugged Ballesteros on the floor while their ecstatic coach Boyet Fernandez ran over to the Zamboanga bench in celebration.
It turned out to be premature, however, as there was still a fraction of a second left. The Sta. Lucia bench was assessed a technical foul, sending Zamboanga’s Judel Fuentes to the line.
Fuentes sank the free throw and forced overtime, where he conspired with King Caralipio and Jaycee Marcelino to give Zamboanga its 19th win against 8th losses that put last year’s losing finalist at fourth spot in the South division.
Earlier, the Quezon Huskers subdued the Muntinlupa Cagers, 85-78, while the Pasay Voyagers dumped Quezon City TODA Aksyon V Fresh, 72-64.
Pasig went up, 91-87, following back-to-back triples by Tyrone Chan and Ryan Paule Costelo, but Fuentes split two charities, Caralipio bunched four points and Marcelino drove in to push Zamboanga ahead, 94-91.
Ballesteros countered with two free throws with 18.7 seconds left before Fuentes pulled down Pasig to 19-9 by splitting two charities anew.
Marcelino wound up with 21 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists to earn best player honors over Fuentes, who posted 15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals.
Burly Joseph Gabayni also delivered for Zamboanga with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Pasig got 26 points and 7 assists from Costelo, 18 points and 4 assists from Robbie Manalang, 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks from Ballesteros, and 11 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals from Kenny Roger Rocacurva.
