Monday, April 25, 2005
Parañaque Jets nip Laguna on Basilides’ 3-point shot
EXPANSION squad Parañaque Jets relied on the booming triple of veteran Rollie Basilides for a 68-67 come-from-behind win over the Spring Cooking Oil-backed Laguna Spring in the opening day of the 2005 Panasonic-NBC National Championship at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Basilides, who played briefly for Red Bull in the PBA, made his fourth and final triple from the left wing with two seconds remaining. The Jets’ debut win is a fitting gift to team manager Anjo Yllana, also the Parañaque vice mayor, who celebrated his birthday yesterday.
The Jets, who trailed all the way until the final play, slowly picked up things in the fourth quarter.
Down by seven, 60-67, in the final two minutes, Jets center Jovy Sese and ace-guard Niño Marquez made three free-throws capped by Basilides’ final five points of the game.
Laguna’s biggest lead was midway through the third quarter at 51-41 but two costly errors down the stretch resulted in its sorry loss.
“I told the boys that whatever happens, let’s keep on fighting. Obviously, we’re not in our best shape and we relaxed a little bit,” said Jets coach Jun da Jose.
Parañaque fielded for the first time celebrity Antonio Aquitania, who went scoreless on two 3-point attempts in three minutes of action starting in the final quarter. While Richard Gomez watched from the bench in civilian clothes.
Basilides wound up with 18 points on top of seven rebounds and two assists to pace the Jets.
Action will resume on April 30 with the Southern Conference start of hostilities as expansion team Iligan Crusaders visit the Cagayan de Oro Stars at the Xavier University Gym.
Parañaque (68) – Basilides 18, Araman 12, Codamon 7, Tolentino 6, Lopez 5, Marquez 4, Bognot 3, Rodriguez 3, Saquilayan 3, Sese 3, Alminario 2, Yambao 2. Laguna (67) – Manuel 18, Reyes 11, Domingo 10, Manucat 9, Corbin 8, Proceso 5, Kalaw 2, Nuqui 2, Mendoza 1, Mallari 1. Quarterscores: 18-24; 39-42’ 47-54; 68-67. RCM
(April 25, 2005 issue)
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