THE Cebu City Sharks suffered a crucial setback after a close 58-61 defeat in the hands of Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball Leaue - 2018-2019 Datu Cup last Monday night, Feb. 18, at the Marist School in Marikina City.
The Sharks controlled the game from the onset, taking on a 17-9 lead after the first period and a 27-20 lead at halftime. The Sharks entered the fourth quarter with a 43-36 advantage.
Zamboanga started the fourth with a 13-4 run, including three three-pointers, to take a 49-47 lead with a three-point shot by Cebuano Reed Juntilla.
Rhaffy Octobre answered a three-pointer to take the lead back, 50-49, for Cebu City. Seconds later, Ryan Buenafe hit a shot from beyond the arc to give the lead back to Zamboanga, 52-50.
Cebu City tied the game, 54-54, with a layup by Victor Nuñez with a little over three minutes left in regulation.
Juntilla answered with a jumper on the other end and Von Lañete, another University of the Visayas product, converted his free throws from an unsportsmanlike foul by Jaybie Mantilla for a 58-54 lead by Zamboanga with 2:22 remaining.
Will McAloney trimmed it down to a single possession, 56-58. With Santos splitting his free throws, Patrick Cabahug cut it down, 58-59, with a jumper.
Robin Rono made a crucial turnover for Zamboanga, giving Cebu City an opportunity to take the lead with 48 seconds left. Octobre attempted a two pointer and missed his mark. But Mantilla gave Cebu City another chance after stealing the ball from Juntilla.
After the timeout, Mantilla made a shot but missed it with 10 seconds left. Octobre was forced to foul, sending Buenafe to the charity stripe with six seconds remaining. He calmly hit both of his free throws for a 61-58 Zamboanga lead. The Sharks had one more chance to send it to overtime but sharpshooting Cabahug missed his target.
Buenafe led Zamboanga with 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and a block. Ivan Villanueva added 12, Juntilla chipped in 11 and Rono added 10.
Edrian Lao was the Sharks’ leading scorer with 12 markers and five boards, coming off the bench. Cabahug scored 11 and grabbed six rebounds, while Mantilla contributed 10 points along with five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Cebu City is in sixth place and is still in contention for the playoffs, while Zamboanga is at in seventh with 10-12. (EKA)