Monday, August 29, 2005
Iloilo survives Forward Taguig
LANKY slotman Ruel Balgos scored the crucial points in overtime, while point guard Tonyboy Espinosa made immediate impact as the Iloilo Warriors survived Forward Taguig, 86-83, in the 2005 Panasonic-NBC National Championship last Saturday at the University of San Agustin Gym in Iloilo.
Balgos hit four of his 12 points in overtime, while Espinosa made an all-important rebound from his own missed free throws before fishing another foul and making the next free throws in the final 11 seconds to seal the win for the Warriors.
Jimboy Robillos’ basket in the 1:38 mark of the extra period gave Taguig its first and last lead, 83-82, before Balgos answered with his own 20 seconds later.
The win was Iloilo’s second straight at home after slaying another giant in an 86-82 victory over the defending-champion Tribu Sugbu earlier.
Espinosa, an Iloilo native and former La Salle Green Archer, tallied 13 points on top of five assists, two rebounds and one steal in his debut game.
Robillos sent the game into overtime with his basket in the final 30.7 seconds of regulation as both teams scrambled for the ball in the final two possessions.
Francis Sanz added 12 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors, who engaged the defending Northern Conference champions to 13 deadlocks in the tightly-fought match.
Leo Vilar paced Taguig with 20 points, while Robillos and former Warrior Steve Marucot scored 18 each.
Iloilo improved to 4-7, while Taguig lost its second straight and crashed to 7-5, tying the idle Cavite Insurers for the top spot in the north.
Iloilo (86) – Espinosa 13, Sanz 12, Balgos 12, Allado 11, Cantonjos 10, Senierez 9, Leonida 7, Arceño 5, Poral 3. Taguig (83) – Vilar 20, Marucot 18, Robillos 18, Dulay 8, Zablan 6, Sinco 6, Lapinid 5, de Castro 2. Quarterscores: 24-24, 45-45, 67-61, 79-all, 86-83 (OT). RCM
(August 29, 2005 issue)
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