Paranaque bucked the odds to stun Zamboanga Master Sardines, 72-70, in Game Three and advance to the South Division semifinals of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) on Monday at the Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum in Zamboanga City.
The Zamboanguenos had a chance to extend the game but Joseph Gabayni missed from underneath at the final buzzer, allowing the Patriots to steal the quarterfinal series, 2-1, and forged a best-of-three series against the waiting Quezon Province,
Tagged as the underdogs following a lopsided 72-94 loss in Game Two, the Patriots showed steely nerves and started strong, 7-0, just like in Game One, which they won, 83-79.
Kristan Hernandez used his 6-foot-6 frame to post 17 points and 6 rebounds for the Patriots and was chosen as the best player of the game.
He was supported by John Uduba with 16 points and nine rebounds, Jielo Razon with 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists and JP Sarao with nine points.
Although Philip Manalang scored only two points, he played a crucial role for Paranaque with a game-high 13 rebounds, nine assists and three steals.
The Patriots, being coached by Mike Saguiguit, shunned their late arrival Monday afternoon after their flight on Sunday got diverted back to Manila due to zero visibility at the Zamboanga airport.
They also did not give up even as Sarao fouled out with still 7 minutes and 27 seconds to go.
Chito Jaime, who turned 41 on Monday knocked in a triple with five seconds left to push Zamboanga within 70-71. After a must-foul, John Uduba then split his charities for the final count.
Zamboanga got 13 points and three assists from Renzo Subido, 11 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals from Jaycee Marcelino and 10 points from Galanza, who, however, missed a 3-pointer late and committed a passing error in the homestretch.
The MPBL playoffs resume on Wednesday, Oct. 23, with the Game 3 decider between South Cotabato and Binan Tatak Gel in their South quarterfinal series tied at 1-1. Play starts at 7 p.m. at the Alone Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna, with the winner forging a best-of-three semifinal tussle with the waiting Batangas.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
