BANTAYAN Island erased a 20-point deficit in the third quarter before fending off Medellin in a pulsating 89-85 win in overtime in the North Division semifinals of the 2nd Governor’s Cup Inter Cities/ Municipalities Basketball Tournament at the Mandaue City Cultural & Sports Complex yesterday.
Romeo Sumbi Jr. led Bantayan with 24 points, John Ray Caracena added 23 and Samuel Escaran Jr. contributed 15 for Bantayan, which made a gallant run in the third quarter, scoring 32 points abd limiting the opponent to 16 to take a 60-58 lead going to the fourth quarter.
After a see-saw battle early in the fourth, Bantayan built a seven-point edge, 78-71, after Sumbi’s gutsy drive to the basket.
Medellin’s cat-quick guard Gelmart Umpad made two free throws to make it 78-73 before Jofel Ducay of Bantayan Island committed an unsportsmanlike foul that opened the door for Medellin with two free throws and ball possession.
Ace Arthur Despi converted two free throws for Medillin, 78-75, while Bantayan failed to ice the game in regulation after missing four consecutive free throws.
Riel Veloso made his first free throw but made a putback off a miss on the second free throw to send the game to overtime at 78-all.
Caracena drilled a three-pointer in the overtime to take a 83-79 lead and Bantayan Island did not look back to complete an upset.
Umpad led Medellin with 18 points, Veloso added 17 and Fritz Saladaga handed 15.
San Francisco (2-0) and North division defending champion Sarok Weavers Consolacion (1-1) were playing as of press time. But both teams are already guaranteed a slot to the North Division championship.
If a triple-tie would happen among Consolacion, Medellin and Bantayan Island, Consolacion will still advance because of the point-difference.
Last Wednesday, Kenny Rogers Rocacurva led San Francsico, 77-74.
After scoring just eight points in the first half, Rocacurva, a new recruit of Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U), exploded in the second half with 19 points, including 11 in the final quarter, for a game high 27 points to lead San Francisco.
With the game tied at 70-70 late in the fourth, Riel Veloso gave Medellin a 72-70 lead. It was short-lived though as Rocacurva answered with a tear drop to even the game. Rocacurva got fouled and converted one of two from the freethrow line for a 73-72 lead for San Francisco.
Veloso yet again gave the lead back to Medellin, 74-73, with 53.6 second left in regulation. But Rocacurva refused to quit and stole the ball for a fastbreak layup, 75-74, with 34.1 seconds remaining.
Medellin went empty on the next play and was forced to foul Rocacurva, who sank both charities for the final tally. Jake Gonzalez also stepped up with 22 points to help Rocacurva out on the offensive end, while Ravi Herda chipped in 10.
Fritz Saladaga was Medellin’s top scorer with 22 points. Three other Medellin players also hit double figures - John Riel Booc and Riel Veloso scored 11 each, while Gelmart Umpad, who had an off night, added 10.
Consolacion also bounced back from a loss to Medellin last Tuesday with a 98-82 victory over Bantayan.
Emmanuel Villamor exploded for 28 points for Consolacion, while Patrick Montaño scored 23. Leobert Casinillo and Rey Gonzaga had 13 points each.
July Carano-o was Bantayan’s top scorer with 13 markers, Robert Caratao had 12, Samuel Escaran and John Ray Caracena poured in 11 each, and Alfredo Veligaño Jr. added 10. (RSC, EKA)