| .
Excelroof nears PBL crown
(March 26, 2010)
Game Tomorrow
(The Arena, San Juan)
2:45 p.m. Awarding Ceremonies
3 p.m. Excelroof vs Pharex B-Complex
Excelroof overcame a sluggish start and
some scary moments at crunch time to eke out a thrilling
97-87 overtime win over Pharex B-Complex and inch closer
to making history in the Philippine Basketball League
(PBL) as the newest rookie champion team.
Showing the experience and toughness they
gained in helping San Sebastian College win last year’s
NCAA crown, Jimbo Aguino and Gilbert Bulawan sparked
a blazing finish in regulation before the high-leaping
Calvin Abueva made the baskets that mattered most in
the extra period to take Game 1 of the their best-of-three
series in the 2010 PBL PG Flex Placenta Cup at The Arena
in San Juan City.
"Nung una parang talagang ayaw
pumasok yung bola sa amin pero I think yung effort ng
mga bata yun ang key. Hindi sila sumuko kahit malaki
ang lamang ng Pharex," said coach Ato Agustin,
who again credited Abueva for his gutsy plays.
Despite getting into foul trouble, the
6-foot-2 Abueva did almost everything on the court –
scoring, defending and more importantly, providing the
extra energy to his temmates.
“Kapag makita mo ang galaw niya
sa loob, pati ikaw mai-inspire eh,” added
Agustin.
The 25ers, owned by Edwin C. Chua, can
clinch the season-opening crown with another win tomorrow
also at the same venue.
And what a huge win it was for Excelroof.
They fell behind by 17 points in the third
quarter but Bulawan and Aquino came through with clutch
baskets to fuel the big comeback.
It was the biggest comeback win in a title
since Hapee overcame an 18-point deficit to defeat Harbour
Centre in Game 1 of the 2008 PBL finals in Batangas
City.
Abueva wound up with 20 points, 14 of
which came in the fourth and overtime periods aside
from grabbing11 rebounds. He also had three blocks in
21 minutes off the bench.
The 21-year old native of Pampanga scored
all of his seven points in the extra session in a span
of 60 seconds helping Excelroof turn a slim 88-85 lead
into a 96-85 with 45 ticks left.
In that stretch, Abueva drew an offensive
foul from Vic Manuel, split his charities off center
Ford Arao and hit a telling a three-point basket after
getting hacked by Arvie Braganza for a 93-85 lead with
1:13 to go. Those key plays put the Pharex players on
the bench for committing their fifth personal fouls.
"Nung first half medyo force
shots ang ginawa niya buti na lang nacontrol niya sarili
niya at nagrespond siya," Agustin said of
Abueva.
Aquino led the 25ers with 27 points despite
his 8-of-26 shooting while Bulawan added 24 points.
Big man Gilbert Bulawan was also responsible
for the 25ers charge, scoring 13 of his 24 points in
the third canto, aside from his personal-best 17 rebound
effort.
Point guard Pamboy Raymundo, who likewise
struggled but managed to register eight points, six
rebounds and five assists, put Excelroof in front for
the first time ever with a teardrop off three Pharex
defenders for an 83-81 lead with 2.5 seconds to go only
for Marlon Adolfo to score a reverse layup off an inbound
pass by Braganza to sent the game
Woody Co led Pharex with 16 points and
six rebounds and highlighted a huge 48-31 edge with
three consecutive triples with 8:46 to go in the third
period. Adolfo made 13 while Lopez, Arao and Manuel
chipped in 10 points apiece.
|
Custom Search