Philippine Christian University went to Yves Sazon for the game-winning basket to complete a dramatic 81-80 win over erstwhile unbeaten Diliman College-JPA Freight Logistics in the 2017 MBL Open basketball championship at the PNP Sports Center in Camp Crame.
Sazon nailed a long three-point shot under pressure with 3.7 seconds left as the Dolphins rallied from a 15-point deficit entering the payoff period to stun the Blue Dragons and secure their fourth win in five outings in this eight-team tournament sponsored by Smart Sports, Star Bread, Dickies Underwear, Ironcon Builders and Gerry’s Grill.
Sazon’s heroics came after African import Alex Diakhite completed a three-point play to give Diliman a two-point lead, 80-78, with 11.3 seconds remaining.
PCU coach Elvis Tolentino sued for a timeout to set up Sazon’s game-winner. Diliman coach Rensy Bajar called for his own timeout but Diakhite’s potential winning shot failed to hit its target.
Mike Ayonayon finished with 34 points and Fidel Castro added 31 points for the Dolphins of PCU president Dr. Junifen Gauuan, USPEAC head Dr. Martha Ijiran and coach Ato Tolentino.
Ayonayon and Castro combined for 28 points to lead the Dolphins’s comeback.
Sazon added eight points for PCU, which played minus former MBL MVP Von Tambeling.