Romeo Travis was forced to replicate what his good buddy LeBron James did hours earlier to give Magnolia a crucial Game 2 win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series Monday night.
Travis sealed the Hotshots’ 101-97 victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum by knocking down a free throw with 1.8 seconds left, making up for missing three consecutive free throws that nearly gave the Kings another chance at forcing overtime.
His problems at the stripe came after James failed to convert two charities during the Los Angeles Lakers’ closely-fought NBA encounter with the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center.
James was quick to make up for those two misses by scoring a two-handed dunk which turned out to be the eventual winner as the Lakers edged the Hawks, 107-106.
“I actually watched the game so I might have jinxed myself,” Travis said when asked of his own LeBron moment.
Despite their agonies at the foul line, Travis was glad that he and his famous former high school teammate at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio were able to make most of their second opportunities.
“He had a second chance, I had a second chance. He made the most of it and I made the second free throw and we end up winning the game. I’m just thankful we were able to get that second opportunity to seal the game,” Travis said.
James has been maligned recently for his struggles at the line, particularly in clutch situation. He missed two free throws in an overtime game against the San Antonio Spurs earlier this season, allowing Patty Mills to convert a game-winning basket on the next play.
