VIC Manuel came to Zamboanga Valientes’ rescue in the homestretch of their 72-68 win over De La Salle, Tuesday night in the 3rd Gov. Ann K Hofer Open Invitational Basketball Tournament at the Cultural & Sports Center in Sibugay.
Down 62-68 in the final 2:23, Manuel took matter into his own hands and scored five straight points built on a clutch three pointer and a strong drive to the basket to pull Valientes within a point.
READ: Zamboanga Valientes to test retooled La Salle's mettle in Sibugay
The veteran forward then completed his heroics with a crucial steal that led to a Mike Tolomia basket as Zamboanga finally took the lead, 69-68.
In all, the Valientes outscored the Green Archers down the stretch, 10-0.
Manuel finished with 17 points, including 10 in the final quarter, while Malik Diouf and Prince Caperal also scored in double figures with 12 and 11, respectively, for Zamboanga which improved to a 2-0 record following a 95-91 win over College of St. Benilde.
Diouf also had crucial defensively plays on back-to-back possessions, blocking the shots of Luis Pablo and Mike Philips before securing the offensive rebound off a Manuel miss for a putback that made it a 71-68 Valientes lead.
Also remaining undefeated in the five-team pocket tournament is Basilan Starhorse, a 63-60 winner over the Letran Knights.
The Green Archers, who lost to Starhorse, 60-57, on opening day, had a chance to send the game into overtime, but JC Macalalag missed a wide-open triple from the left corner in the team’s final play.
"This is a proud moment, a win we dedicate to Zamboanga City. Our team, composed of experienced professionals, showed their class and determination against two strong collegiate programs,” said Zamboanga Valientes team owner Junnie Navarro.
The Valientes take on the Letran Knights next on Wednesday, before facing Basilan Starhorse on Thursday in a highly-anticipated match.
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