CEDRIC De Joya nailed the game-winner as Batangas scraped past Wangs, 81-79, in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena on Tuesday.
With no timeouts left and the score tied at 79 after Robbie Herndon's three-pointer, the diminutive De Joya took charge and made an off-the-glass floater as time expired.
Batangas scored its second straight victory while the Couriers fell to 1-1.
De Joya finished with 14 points to go with two rebounds and three assists.
"Wala ka namang ibang pupuntahan e. Sabi ko bahala na siya, mag-take charge na siya," said Batangas coach Eric Gonzales on De Joya.
It was Joseph Sedurifa, though, who kept Batangas afloat all game long with 25 points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal.
Jessie Saitanan chimed in 10 points.
At the onset, the Couriers looked on track for a breakaway after leading as much as 15 points, 34-19, in the second period.
But Batangas rallied behind Sedurifa and turned a catch-up game into a nip-and-tuck contest.
Buoyed by three-pointers by Timothy Habelito and Herndon, the Couriers erased a six-point deficit in the final stretch before De Joya's heroics shut the door on their comeback hopes.
Herndon finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds, while Habelito had 11 markers and 17 boards.
The Scores:
Batangas 81 - Sedurifa 25, De Joya 14, Saitanan 10, Ablaza 9, Ragasa 9, Bautista 8, Mendoza 5, Dela Peña 1, Anderson 0, Laude 0, Isit 0, Napoles 0.
Wangs 79 - Herndon 27, Sorela 13, Habelito 11, Arambulo 6, Juico 5, Riley 4, Asuncion 3, De Chavez 3, King 3, Ambuludto 2, Montemayor 2, Importante 0.
Quarterscores: 14-23, 41-39, 63-52, 81-79.
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