With Vonvon Tamayo, White Capalad and Ramir Herrera gunning them with three-point shots, the Star Water defenders struggled to pull it away until they fell behind in the final quarter as Tamayo sank eight of his 13 free throw shots.
However, Francis Rebuyon’s two-pointers in the fourth quarter brought the momentum back for Star Water and Jessie Mina made the best use of keeping the ball too tight to pick up the needed fouls.
Since the Jaypers were already in penalty situation, it paid to hold the ball amidst the opponents’ smothering defense that also sent Tamayo out of the game with five fouls.
Mina inched Star Water’s way closer by basketing his five free throws and Rebuyon tied the game with less than 10 seconds remaining.
The Jaypers were in-bounding the ball when Vergara intercepted it and fired the winning shot for Star Water’s 71-69 victory.
Mina tallied 29 points and Rebuyon contributed 19 points in the ball game.
Tamayo sizzled with 38 points including his three rainbow shots and Capalad chipped in 18 points for the Jaypers.
MIGS 81, Triple J 74
John Jugos and Jovie Arsenal led the rally while Rusty Doronilla fired two three-pointers in the first half to complete MIGS’ last ditch try to survive beating Triple J, 81-74.
Triple J was leading with six points as Jeffrey Pagarao went ballistic from behind the arc during the first quarter.
MIGS the turned the game around in the second quarter with Arsenal and Doronilla mounted the attack with successful outside shots.
With RJ Nonato backing him up with nine points Pagarao rampaged with 10 of his 35 points, and a tight defense limited MIGS’ score to 12 to help Triple J take the lead back in the third quarter.
But a never-say-die spirit surged as MIGS cagers worked their way up combining a total of 23 points final quarter to snatch the victory.
Scores:
Star Water 71 — J. Mina 29, F. Rebuyon 19, A. Sacramento 8, E. Santos 7, L. Sanchez 6, R. Vergara 2.
Jaypers 69 – V.Tamayo 38, W. Capalad 18, R. Herrera 9, F. David 2, N. Mateo 2.
Quarterscores: 17-16, 34-32, 53-40, 71-69
MIGS 81 – J. Jugos 20, J. Arsenal 18, R. Doronilla 16, F. Remilloza 13, M. Dela Rama 11, S. Quemado 3.
Triple J 74 – J. Pagarao 35, R. Nonato 20, H. Enriquez 12, C. Jarabe 4, M. Favor 3.
Quarterscores: 16-22, 46-36, 58-65, 81-74
