by Jonas Terrado
Valencia City, Bukidnon-SSCR crawled its way back from a 20-point deficit to score a thrilling 96-92 double-overtime win over Metropac-San Beda yesterday in the 2019 PBA D-League at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
JM Calma scored the game-icing lay-up with 14.5 seconds to spare, catching a pass from Ken Villapando to give the Golden Harvest the four-point cushion they needed to escape with the tough victory.
“Everybody stepped up, kahit yung may mga maliliit na minutes, credit sa whole team, not just sa mga veterans ko. They all composed on the last part,” said coach Egay Macaraya as his side fought back from an early 34-14 deficit.
Allyn Bulanadi led Valencia-SSCR with 32 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals, while RK Ilagan shot five triples on his way to 31 points, six boards, five dimes, and four steals.
Calma also added 12 as the Golden Harvest locked up a playoff seat with its 6-1 record in the Foundation Group.
Ilagan tied the game up at 75 with 41 seconds remaining in regulation, completing the fightback as both teams were unable to convert in the endgame.
He also gave Valencia-SSCR the 88-85 lead with a three at the 52.1 second mark of the first overtime, before James Canlas answered back with a three of his own in the last 17.2 to send the game to another extra period.
Clint Doliguez fired 21 points and five boards to lead Metropac-San Beda in the tough defeat as it wasted a golden opportunity to lock up a twice-to-beat incentive.
Donald Tankoua got a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Movers, which dropped to third in the group at 6-2.
The Scores:
VALENCIA-SSCR 96 — Bulanadi 31, Ilagan 31, Calma 12, Capobres 9, Sumoda 4, Villapando 3, Desoyo 2, Calahat 2, Tero 1, Bonleon 0, Dela Cruz 0, Are 0, Baclay 0, Altamirano 0, Loristo 0.
METROPAC-SAN BEDA 92 — Doliguez 21, Tankoua 20, Canlas 19, Soberano 8, Nelle 6, Bahio 6, Etrata 6, Oftana 4, Carino 2, Presbitero 0, Alfaro 0, Cuntapay 0, Obenza 0.
Quarters: 12-28, 33-45, 51-57, 75-75, 88-88, 96-92.
