JASON Opiso scored the game-winning tip-in with 1.9 seconds left to lift the Quezon Huskers past the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters, 65-64, on Tuesday and force a do-or-die Game Three for the South Division crown of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) last Tuesday.
Opiso cleaned up after a Judel Fuentes three to complete the Huskers’ comeback after trailing by eight, 64-56, with less than two minutes remaining in the game as they stunned the adoring crowd inside the jam packed Batangas City Coliseum.
Ljay Gonzales scored the first seven of that 9-0 end and was named the best player of the game after posting 17 points and seven boards.
Fuentes added 15 points despite going 3-20 from the field while Ximone Sandagon hauled down 14 huge boards to go along his eight points.
The Rum Masters could’ve already sealed the South crown as they still had possession with mere seconds remaining, but Jong Baloria turned the ball over to set the stage for Opiso’s heroics.
Levi Hernandez led the Rum Masters with 18 points while Baloria contributed 15 in the loss as they look to bounce back two days later when they settle the South Finals in Lucena City this Thursday.
The winner of this match will face the already-waiting Pampanga Giant Lanterns in a best-of-five finals series which will begin with Game One and Game Two on Dec. 1 and Dec. 3 in Dubai, UAE.
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