The moment not only spurred a huge comeback but hoisted team SCS Heavy Equipment to an 82-76 win over the FGC Builders in the Domino Lux Invitational Basketball League on Monday.
Aquino’s three-pointers eventually snapped FGC’s 12-point lead, ending their reign which lasted since the first half.
Luck favored SCS for the first time, with the Manalo-led squad squeezing out a 70-68 advantage 4:16 in the fourth quarter.
A solid defense once held by Ron Gamboa and JR Barrios crumbled as SCS outscored FGC, 22-14 in the closing 10 minutes. Barrios scored nine of his 24 points in the final period while Yosh Gabaldon and Gamboa added five.
SCS capitalized in the final period after a free throw from Glen Aquino, who added two baskets for a 12-point total. Three turnovers haunted FGC as Jesse Mina and Rocyl Ritual poured in six points before Manalo’s back-to-back baskets.
FGC sent in Chris Camacho, Joy Dayrit, and JM Llagas in hopes of turning the game but it was too late. They eked out a 72-72 deadlock with 2:09 left on the clock but missed three of five shots.
Manalo snuck in a basket after Ritual’s half-court pass and was fouled three times before the buzzer. His game-ending free throw spree earned him five points for a 27 total. Guiang, who notched 11 points from the first half, trailed Manalo at 15 points. Mina scored 12.
Barrios led FGC with 24 points. Gamboa and Dayrit earned 17 and 11, respectively.
Scores:
SCS 82 – M. Manalo 27, R. Guiang 15, J. Mina 12, G. Aquino 12, R. Ritual 9, E. Echavez 4, F. Tobias 3
FGC 76 – J. Barrios 24, R. Gamboa 17, J. Dayrit 11, Y. Gabaldon 6, J. Llagas 6, C. Camacho 6, B. Montano 4, R. Cayanan 2
Quarterscores: 25-17, 43-36, 62-60, 76-82
Blue Haus 74, Pacific Postal 66
In Monday’s first game, team Blue Haus-QQ Car Rental stormed through a firm second-half to outscore Pacific Postal, 74-66.
Blue Haus fell behind, 15-21 in the first quarter and narrowed the gap to 37-38 before ending their foes with a 20-13 run in the third period.
Budz and Edwin Camacho smothered Pacific Postal on speedy plays and sunk four points each after halftime. Moments later, Jhun Abedes handed Blue Haus the edge with a six point boost.
Rommel Usi led Pacific with a game high 21 points while Quincy Johnson scored 10.
Blue Haus’ double-digit scorers however, controlled the court with Budz Camacho piling 17 and Edwin posting 14. Sam Fernandez and Jhun Abedes scored 10 apiece.
Fernandez notched a three-pointer at the start of the final period and eked out a jump shot to keep Pacific Postal behind.
Both Rommel and Mico Usi blasted triples in an attempt to even the game. Their 10-point deficit however, was too much to handle with less then two minutes left on the clock.
Blue Haus’ Brandon Talania stacked nine points, Marlon Sison scored eight, and George Cruz added four.
Scores:
Blue Haus-QQ Car Rental 74 – B. Camacho 17, E. Camacho 14, S. Fernandez 10, J. Abedes 10, B. Talania 9, M. Sison 8, G. Cruz 4, D. Olivos 2
Pacific Postal 66 – R. Usi 21, Q. Johnson 10, R. Yabut 9, D. Bicera 8, J. Acosta 8, M. Usi 6, R. Tenepere 4
Quarterscores: 21-15, 38-37, 51-57, 66-74
