THE Ruffians handed the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Defenders their first taste of defeat via 55-51 come-from-behind victory in the 2018 Travelers Invitational Basketball League on Thursday, August 2, at the Gamma Farm Gym in Barangay Tablon.
Vintage Carlos Alvarez fired 24 points to lead the Ruffians, while Alwen Baclao added 14 markers.
The Ruffians were trailing in the first three quarters and only had the first taste of the lead at the start of the first period.
The Defenders, on the other hand, were making a run in the second canto with a 11-point lead propelled by the duo of Dingal and Monchet Collera, but could not make a breakthrough.
Michael Chan’s towering presence overwhelmed Collera and Dingal inside the paints as the Ruffians maintained a narrow gap that closed the third frame at 42-40.
But at the turn of the final fourth quarter, Aldrich Si came to the Ruffians’ rescue.
From 43-41 Defenders lead, Si made his first trey in the game and hit another one that set the tone for the Ruffians’ thrilling escape.
The win pushed the Ruffians to solo second at 3-1 behind the unbeaten NBI-Northern Mindanao (3-0).
Collera led the Defenders with 18 points, while John Salva chipped in 12. Dingal was limited to seven points to end his streak for double-digit output.
“Kumpyansa kaayo kami as if nag-relax kami ug gitugtan namo ang Ruffians makalingkawas (We were confident and relaxed to let Ruffians win),” said Salvo after the game.
PAO Defenders slid to third place along with the Eagles at 2-1.
Meanwhile, MJM dribblers rebounded from a forgettable start claiming their second straight win at the expense of CVL/COS, 76-74.
Jan Babiera recorded the league’s highest score so far at 42 points, while Ian Boringa and Judge Isagani Ravidas added 12 and nine points, respectively.
MJM started hot in the first two quarters with double-digit stretch and ended the half at 43-32.
CVL/COS cagers retaliated with a searing rally to force a 71-all deadlock with still 2:15 minutes remaining.
They even took the lead by three behind Matt Gabut’s bombshell from the rainbow sphere in the last two minutes of play.
But, Babiera quickly answered it with two successive layups and a point from the charity line to lift MJM for good.
Errol Gabe was about to knock a shot off the glass for overtime, but the clock expired before he made it.
The scores:
First game
Ruffians 55—Alvarez 24, Baclao 14, Si 7, Chan 4, Dulusin 3, Lagrosas 1, Lumbay 1, Ortiz 1.
PAO 51—Collera 18, Salva 12, Dingal 7, Sumondong 5, Bana 2, Casamiro 2, Gayla 1, Llego 1, Rafael 1.
Second game
MJM 76-Babiera 42, Boringa 12, Ravidas 9, Wadhu 6, Macariola 5 CVL/COS 74—Bajenio 21, Gabut 15, Gabe 12, Alinas 10, Orzal 10, Noble 2.