They got the first game in great fashion and took the second game with speed and heart. This time, third game was kind of different. A “do or die” situation for the Rangers for no team may it be local or international, individual or team sports has ever comeback from a 2-0 zip to win a championship. As for Surangel, a game of their life, for this is “closing time” or else giving a chance to a more experienced and tough team would be a disaster in the making.
And so it goes, a low-scoring match for that matter, as both teams displayed solid defense that resulted too many ill-advised shots and miscues during the first quarter, Surangel managed to put in points and enjoyed a three point lead ending first quarter, 26 – 23. It was heart pounding second quarter as Rangers huddled and gathered themselves and as the crowd got into the game encouraging their team by shouting at their own favorite players in the league, Rangers took the lead, 45 – 43, ending the first half. As fans goes out to get their snacks and a breather from the game, Team Surangel and Team Rangers got themselves all set for the final half of the game by plotting out plays and discussing gameplans from their respective benches. With the clock ticked to seconds, both teams shouted their own battle cry in preparation for the third and final quarter. Teams did not waste time as they used 10minutes of the third putting in points. The triumvirates, JV San Juan, Eric Manio, and Arnold Undencino scored 18 a piece to help their team, Surangel, get a point lead from a tough and battle tested Rangers Team, going to the fourth and last quarter. It was like there is no tomorrow for Rangers BIGMAN, Jay Naguit, as he skirmished himself inside the painted area to get his hard-earned score of 24 points. Joining him are Alvin and Mike scoring 15 and 12, respectively, in trying to get back at their adversary. But in the end, Surangel and Sons minimized on their errors and concentrated on their strength which resulted to points and eventually gave them the prestigious cup ending the Rangers dominance of the league for two consecutive years.
In an earlier game, a match between Western Union and Patriots was also certified heart stopper as the game went overtime giving the third placer to Patriots team, 105 – 96. Jun Bautista went to finish with 34 points for the Patriots as he carried his team to win the match. Bautista got helping hands in terms of points from fellow forwards, Joeger Supnet and Osias with 21 and 14 productions, respectively. On the other hand, Clemenia and Tecson, showed no signs of being a rookie for the league as they contributed 23 and 19, in that order for the up and coming Western Union Team. Western just could not match the 13 points for Patriots as they could only manage to add 4 points on the board ending the regulation period. As a result, Western gets the fourth place and leaving the third spot for Team Patriots.
