Blades eliminated by JibangEr in epic encounter
League III.13 Playoffs
Big 8 Conference Semifinals
#3 Bacoor Blades @ #2 JibangEr
(originally posted at) 13:37
Unfortunately for the Bacoor Blades, in a game where one mistake could cost the game, the blinked first.
JibangEr defeated the Cavite five in an overtime thriller, 129-126, at jibang in front of a sold out crowd of 11,232 to determine which team advances to the Conference Final for the right to book a seat in the League Championship round.
The game looked like it would be blown wide open by the home side as early as the first quarter, as the preliminary spirited attack overwhelmed Bacoor, 31-19. But the Blades battled back in the second quarter despite the resident frontcourt of the Blades yet to hit the mark consistently, effectively cutting the deficit to just five at halftime, 56-51.
The third period saw an aggressive Blades push early on. With Boris Buzhan at the helm facilitating, the Blades tore down the JibangEr defense, who were missing the services of second-leading scorer Pablo Zayas and reserve bigman Michaƫl Thirion due to an injury. The Blades finally won the lead entering the final minutes, notching an 83-79 lead, with Martin Federico Gancedo, who made his debut in the game along with Fryderyk Zima, nailing a triple before the third quarter horn sounded.
JibangEr opened the final quarter with an immediate 4-0 blast over a span of 30 seconds to tie the game at 83-all. By this time, Rafael Urigarri, JibangEr's top scorer for the game, picked up his sixth foul and had to leave the game. A high-octane exchange occurred throughout the fourth quarter, but despite the efforts of Regan Elizaga, Antoine Fauvel and Buzhan, JibangEr kept fighting back in the game. Finally a three pointer by McKinley Mann, the replacement for Urigarri, with 12 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter tied the game up and forced overtime as Genco cannot convert the inside incursion for a possible game-winner. 113-all it ended after regulation.
In the overtime period, the two teams basically exchanged the first 15 points, with JibangEr getting the extra point until they connected on two straight baskets to establish a three point edge, 123-120. Fauvel jams home a basket to make it 123-122. But with over a minute left, Oszkar Leindler fouled Leszlaw Bulski, who knocked his two charities to make it 125-122. Genco nailed a jumper to put them a point behind again. Then the Blades called for time after JibangEr missed a chance on the ensuing play.
Fauvel nailed a jumper with over 48 seconds remaining to wrest the lead at 126-125. That would end up being the Blades' last hurrah as they went scoreless the rest of the way. Beginning with Bulski's two foul shots followed by Mann's split, JibangEr held a 128-126 lead with 13 ticks remaining. After a full ceasefire, Bacoor went to Boris Buzhan, but the usually-clutch guard failed to convert on the jumper to tie the game. Bulski was fouled and only managed a split, which prompted team manager TheDogMan to call for a 30 second timeout with just two seconds remaining.
The play was supposedly a three pointer to tie the game and force a second overtime, but the play did not materialize as Gancedo turned the ball over, gifting the victory to the home side.
"This one's going to leave a mark." said the Blades' executive. "We wanted to win so badly, but I guess they wanted it more."
"It's a sad day for the Bacoor community, but it was a battle well-fought and a battle worth fighting for." said Kelly Paul, who had 16 points and 11 boards.
Fauvel had 24 points and 11 rebounds while Elizaga had 22. Genco had 20 and 14 boards.
The loss officially ends the Bacoor Blades' Season 25. Managing to win 14 games, they nabbed the #3 seed in the Big 8 for their first playoff appearance in Division III.