Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines clawed back from a deep pit to stun Batangas City Embassy Chill, 67-66, and snatch the South division crown in the OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season Presented by Xtreme at the Vitaliano Agan Coliseum in Zamboanga City.
Trailing by as many as 19 points in the third quarter, 54-35, Zamboanga banked on a hangtime drive by Jaycee Marcelino with 39 seconds left to complete the incredible comeback that put Zamboanga in the National Finals against North division champion Nueva Ecija.
Showing why he’s the MPBL All-Star MVP, Marcelino wound up with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 assists to lead Zamboanga to a 2-1 series victory.
The Game 3 decider wasn’t devoid of drama as Batangas Coach Cholo Villanueva confronted MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes at the center of the court asking for a decision on Cyrus Tabi’s infraction of hanging on the ring with still 0.9 seconds to go.
Little did Villanueva know that the technical committee has already ruled for a technical foul on Tabi, which should have merited a technical free throw for Batangas.
Because of his disrespectful attitude, technical committee head George Magsino slapped a technical foul on Villanueva for entering the court, thus canceling out Tabi’s technical violation.
Batangas was still ahead, 63-54, until Marcelino, how twin brother Jayvee and Tabi knocked in a triple each to set up the thrilling finish.
After Zamboanga’s Jhaymo Eguilos knotted the count at 65, Cedric Ablaza put Batangas ahead anew by splitting his two free throws, 66-65, before Marcelino came through with that drive over Ablaza.
Jhaps Bautista scored 15 points for Zamboanga, with Tabi contributing 11 points.
Duremdes awarded the championship trophy to Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines team owner Anita Kaw.
“I gave credit to my boys, They never gave up,” said Zamboanga Coach Vic Ycasiano. I never doubted the team. I know they will deliver in the end.”
Zamboanga and Nueva Ecija begin their best-of-five title playoffs on December 2 at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.
