THE Holy Cross Davao College (HCDC) Crusaders came from behind to beat the Jose Maria College (JMC) Kings, 92-86, via overtime in the semifinals of the 80th Araw ng Dabaw Sports Festival Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament held Saturday evening at the Almendras Gym Davao Recreation Center.
Jhayston Oquias provided the much-needed firepower for HCDC, sinking12 points at the stretch on top of six baskets in the extension period for his total 26 points.
Harry Dumagan also chipped in 16 points while team captain Joshua Aguilon finished with nine points including his turn around fade away shot that tied the match at 77-all to force the overtime.
The Crusaders played sans Lean Martel who was recently absorbed by the San Beda College but Mark Fransisco stepped up to fill the gap.
The Kings, who were leading the first three periods, leaned on the services of Nicole Barera and Jin Mijares who made 25 and 16 points, respectively.
The Isaias Gravador-coached HCDC, thus, arranged a titular showdown with Agro Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines (AIFCP) Sailors set on Monday at the same venue.
Gravador, in an interview, said they were just lucky to win the game.
"I just told them it was not yet over. We just needed to make a basket and a defensive stop to be able to get back into the game," Gravador said.
With barely three minutes left in the game, JMC secured a 72-64 advantage when Aguilon succumbed to a crucial turnover. But the team captain managed to redeem himself as he led the team within striking distance.
JMC's point guard, however, fired a triple to stretch their lead to 75-71.
Oquias answered with a jumper to cut the rival's lead, 75-73, only 49 seconds left as JMC's big man Vincent Campo scored off the board to ensure a 77-73 lead.
But Crusader James Linares countered with a jumper to cut the deficit by two, 77-75, before Aguilon made a game-tying turnaround jumper with only 4.6 seconds left.
HCDC also recovered as JMC's key players Campo and Mijares were earlier fouled out.