PARANAQUE survived a scare from Sarangani, scoring a 73-70 in on Friday night in the MPBL Lakan Cup at the Olivarez College Gym.
James Abugan showed the way with 17 points, eight rebounds and three steals as the Patriots grabbed a share of the 11th spot with Quezon City at 8-13.
Parañaque coach Myk Saguiguit lamented the team's complacency.
"Yun ang ikinakatakot ko, yung mag-relax kami kasi ang kalaban namin Sarangani which is winless. Hindi naman yan ang iniensayo namin the past few days."
But Saguiguit looks at the brighter side of their near loss to Sarangani: "Maganda itong nangyari sa amin kasi marami kaming mapupulot na aral dito hindi kami malakas na team kaya dapat hindi kami nagrerelax. Ang maganda lang ay nung winning time, mas gusto nilang manalo."
Patriots captain Jemal Viscarra poured in 13 points on 5 of 17 clip while making six boards and three dimes. Vinny Begaso added 11 markers for Paranaque.
With Parañaque ahead 60-44 in the fourth quarter, Sarangani went on a 20-4 tear, capped by Miko Estrellante's layup to tie the game at 64 with 2:07 left.
The Patriots finished the game on a 9-4 run, before Pari Llagas' buzzer-beating layup.
Llagas had a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Justin Valencia
The scores:
Paranaque 73 - Abugan 17, Viscarra 13, Begaso 11, Sunga 8, Pido 6, Saguiguit 5, Banzali 5, De Guzman 4, Rabe 3, Mangalino 1, Lucente 0, Antonares 0, Solis 0, Larotin 0.
Sarangani 70 - Llagas 19, Demapiles 10, Trinidad 10, Estrellante 9, Clavel 8, Morada 5, Macantal 4, Ballon 3, Cabanog 2, Timon 0, Guiyab 0, Eman 0, Alih 0.
Quarterscores: 22-15; 42-32; 56-44; 73-70.
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