RIZAL Xentromall can’t be taken lightly by anyone.
The Rizal Golden Coolers proved this by pulling off a thrilling 104-100 triple overtime win over erstwhile unbeaten San Juan late Monday, June 10, in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Rizal Golden Coolers banked on the trio of Alwyn Alday, Kraniel Villoria and Jerie Pingoy to post their eighth victory in 12 starts while stopping the Knights’ winning streak at nine in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
In other games, Andrei Armenion drilled in a corner jumper with 0.6 seconds left to lift the Valenzuela Classics past the Pasay Voyagers, 86-85, while Marikina Shoemasters banked on Joe Gomez De Liano and Eric Joseph Pili to thwart the Bulacan Kuyas, 95-91.
With Pingoy and Villoria drilling in a triple each and Alday adding a layup, Rizal surged ahead, 101-96, in the third extra period from which San Juan couldn’t recover.
Playing for 46 minutes and 35 seconds, Alday wound up with 27 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals, while Villoria finished with 24 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals in a 41 minute, 28-second stint.
It was Pingoy who was chosen best player, however, as he poured all his 12 points in the extra periods, to go with 6 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals.
Other Golden Coolers who delivered were Keith Agovida with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists, Marco Balagtas with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists, and John Apacible with 8 points and 15 rebounds.
Rizal also caused ripples when it stunned reigning champion Pampanga, 78-71, on April 9.
San Juan was ahead, 69-61, with 5 minutes to go in regulation, but went silent the rest of the way and allowed Rizal to equalize with a closing 8-point run by Alday, Apacible and Villoria.
The Knights got 21 points and 11 rebounds from Dexter Maiquez, who, however, missed his first free throw with 8.4 seconds left in the third overtime and was forced to intentionally miss the second as Rizal was ahead, 102-100, by then. Alday pegged the final tally with two charities in the final 6.4 seconds.
San Juan drew 19 points from Orlan Wamar, who forced the second extension, 93-93, with a triple in the last 6.8 seconds.
Veteran Reynel Hugnatan, who also canned a triple with 12.7 seconds left to knot the count at 80 after the first overtime, finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists for the Knights.
Completing its comeback from a 59-69 deficit after the third quarter, Valenzuela raised its record to 7-6 behind Fil-Am CJ Payawal, who finished with 20 points, including 4 triples, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, while Darell Manliguez posted 15 points, 14 assists and 4 rebounds to earn best player honors.
