Dave Sabandon was in the right place at the right time as he picked up an offensive rebound and scored the game-winning layup to lift the Newfold Wolves past the Amazon Aces, 54-52, in the Hoop Nation Inter-BPO basketball tournament last Sunday, July 2, 2023, at the City Sports Club-Cebu.
Tied at 52-all after the Aces’ Mac Galay coolly sank two free throws, the Wolves quickly inbounded the ball to Feeljo Bongo who launched a triple that missed. Fortunately, Sabandon hustled back, nabbed the rebound, faked out two defenders before rising up and making a layup before the final buzzer sounded to give Newfold the thrilling victory.
Ralph “The Lion King” Belarmino led the way for the Wolves with 22 points and 11 rebounds, as the team improved to 4-1.
Mac Galay had 20 points, five boards and four assists for Amazon, which dropped to 2-2.
In other games, Tech Mahindra routed Cognizant, 62-49, with Steve Cabanday putting up 28 points, three rebounds and two assists.
TTEC clobbered the Bankers, 43-25, as Jasper Diaz collected 10 points and five boards.
Synchrony edged Optum, 54-53, with Archel Arena tallying 19 markers and five boards.
OP360 routed Fujitsu, 78-54, thanks to Jed Girasol’s 14 points and five assists.
Dyninno also slipped past TDCX, 49-48, as John Felicilda tallied 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists. (JNP)