MAC Montilla buried a three-pointer with 18.3 seconds left in overtime to lift Café France to an 84-81 victory over Hog’s Breath Café and into joint first place in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup on Thursday at the Trinity University of Asia Gym.
Montilla finished with 18 points, converting an open triple off a kick-out pass from Jam Cortes to lead the Bakers to their second win in as many outings.
Café France joins NLEX on top of the team standings.
Montilla’s game-winner actually capped off a 7-0 finish in the final two minutes of the game to steal the win from the Razorbacks, who dropped to 0-2 in the team standings.
“A win is still a win even if pangit ang laro namin, but still the boys didn’t give up,” said Café France coach Egay Macaraya. “At least they have the heart and it’s a very good start.”
Cafe France won after Paul Sanga hit three free throws for Hog’s Breath with 2.4 seconds left in regulation to force overtime at 75-75.
Jamil Gabawan scored on a lay-up that gave Hog’s Breath an 81-77 lead with 1:46 left in overtime. Cortes and Rod Ebondo, however, scored on follow-ups to tie the game, setting the stage for Montilla’s heroics.
Sanga and JP Belencion missed their potential game-tying triples in the end.
Ebondo topscored for the Bakers with 22 points, while Rocky Acidre and Cortes had 18 and 16, respectively.
The scores:
Café France (84) – Ebondo 22, Acidre 18, Montilla 18, Cortes 16, Abundo 6, Sedurifa 2, Batino 2, Jeruta 0, De Leon 0, Gallardo 0, Mutombo 0.
Hog’s Breath Café (81) – Belencion 18, Sanga 14, Austria 13, Ruaya 10, Gabawan 7, Racal 6, Najorda 5, Rios 4, Avillanoza 2, Robles 2, Canta 0, Publico 0, Macasaet 0, Terso 0.
Quarterscores: 21-24; 35-41; 59=58; 75-75; 84-81.
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