NAKNAK del Castillo came to the rescue in the dying seconds to lift the defending champion Eagles Club to a 62-56 victory against Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Misamis Oriental chapter in the Travellers Invitational Basketball League 2018 on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at the 4ID Gym in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.

Del Castillo fired 20 points laced with four triples, while Arden Abella and Tata Bajao added 12 and 11 markers, respectively.

The Eagles controlled the first half and took the lead by as much as 11 points before ending the second period with a 10-point margin, 38-28.

But, their upper hand went to scratch after laywer Robby Yparaguierre sparked a fierce rally that even gave IBP’s first taste of the lead at the close of the third quarter, 48-47.

The lawyers could only manage to pad the lead by three as a seesaw battle ensued in the final canto.

Bajao connected a jumper at 1:15 mark as the Eagles wrested the lead back, 57-56 then Del Castillo completed a 3-point play with 42 seconds remaining.

From there, IBP tried to get closer in the final seconds but could not find clear shots.

“Sayang, wala ma-sustain sa IBP. They were in fierce rally pero nahutdan lang og momentum,” said Judge Isagani Ravidas, the league commissioner.

Yparaguirre made 14 points, while John Bonete and Joey Abbu chipped in 11 and 9 points each.

Meanwhile, CVL/MAC/CAM-COS trounced CVL Maguindanao, 42-29 in the curtain-raiser.

Web Bajenio fired 18 points to lead CVL/MAC, while lawyer Melber Alinas collected 17 points including four treys.

Games on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at Gamma Farm Gym:

6:30 p.m. - 4ID Army vs. Ruffians

7:30 p.m. - NBI-10 vs, MJM