Cresta Verde Mountaineers nips Balawis Elite in OT, 109-101.
Balawis Elite Death Pit, Philippines -- The heated exchange between GM Nicolo Maro and Markang Bungo last week is just a prelude as they were meant to clash head-on in this weeks 'showdown'.
GM Nicolo's 'respect' theme enraged Bungo as he went on a rampage that close to a sellout crowd of 17,000 flocked the Death Pit to witness the execution of the loser.
In the first quarter, the Mountaineers raced to a 28-21 advantage as they were enthusiastic to chop their head-first. However, in the second quarter Elite put the same effort as they topped the Mountaineers 28-19 leading by 2 points to end the 1st half.
They exchanged baskets in the 2nd half leading towards the tense 45 seconds of the game. By then, Elite's starting forward Ren Xinli was fouled out chipping in 18 points. It's now Mountaineers starting center Rhyan Tersol to graduate contributing 15 points and 12 rebounds as he fouled Kerry Octaviano. However, "K.O" split his free throws and the score tied at 95-all.
AJ Magoncia was called for a foul that the Elite was able to regain the possession. They milked the clock but M.P. Cortez missed - there was a scramble for loose ball - favoring the Mountaineers.
The Mountaineers wanted to end the game with a buzzerbeater but Teodosio Amante missed and with still three seconds left, MP Cortez let it fly and missed - overtime!
In the overtime, both teams weren't able to execute their plays to start but the Mountaineers prevailed as the Elite ran out of gas.
Teodosio Amante led the Mavs with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. "The other team seems to have issues with us, we just took care of business," Amante said as he logged all but two minutes of the game.
The Brazilian duo of Elite Marcos Cortez and Giovani Moraes had 21 and 27 points respectively. Cortez dished out 10 assists while Moraes grabbed 17 boards as they both have a double-double. "We understand the bad blood between the two esp. that our manager is passionate," they were side-by-side with each other in the room "tonight, they are the better team."
The Mountaineers certainly didn't expect to see them early (was surprised to know that they were in the same division) but felt vindicated with the win. "Ooh, at least we will get to meet them in two months time" GM Nicolo Maro said.
In three games time, the Mountaineers will have their first TV game against Kurizo Hoops. They consider it a peaceful next week but is wary of So Akward Players, who has yet to win a game; and New Oagas Society with the same 2-0 record (as of press writing). Of course, it will also depend on who they will match up with in the National Tournament.
Player of the game: Teodosio Amante - 23 points, 15 rebounds & 5 assists.
X-factor: AJ Magoncia - 22 points in 28 minutes. "He was aggressive all night going to the line 11 times making 10!"