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The boring match in the first quarter sent my fingers to a Euromaxx episode on Opera Arts in Germany. With JRU pinning the STAGS with an unexpected 11-point giant lead, no amount of enthusiasm made me glued to the game. But just as my habit of program switching would do me good, I was back (through sequential scanning) and there, amazed as I was, STAGS were freezing the score 31-33 to their advantage, finally. This remained untouched toward the last 3 minutes of the second quarter and thus, earned 8 points for Viray, 7 for Delgado, and 6 for Del Rio as top scorers.
The buzzer signaled the start of the third quarter. STAGS maintained the 2-point lead for the first two minutes. But JRU went back and narrowed the lead (35-37). Marvin Hayes did a layout, the others followed widening the turnover advantage to 41-37. JRU now leading.
Jimbo Aquino made a 3-pointer sending the score to a close 41-40. Viray goaled while Aquino released another blow and overtook the lead (41-46).
JRU countered through a foul shot. This time, Delgado pulled out with successful consecutive drives while Bulawan contributing – broadening STAGS' supremacy to its biggest margin ever (45-54).
JRU must have gone fiery, scored a two and almost created a jolt as Pradas was irked by a push from Bulawan. This tension afforded The Arena a minute of “wait-and-see-and-keep-your-prayers-and-cheers” condition. After consultation with the NCAA officials, the referees gave both players a warning call.
From here, tension mounted as STAGS were outpowered by the series of JRU shots. Lead slimmed down to three (55-58).
A minute before the fourth quarter Halfway Mark, JRU was nailed to 55. Del Rio did a two. Delgado wowed the crowd with his 11th point as he sent an easy lay-up. Nary could JRU snatch a shot when at this point STAGS positioned for the best defense in the entire game. Ballesteros snatched the ball gallantly from Hayes and went all the way for the goal. JRU recovered and posted Halfway Mark to 57-62.
The last 4:31 saw big errors. Najorda could have scored but stepped out of the baseline. Then he made a foul creating an advantage shot for JRU. A time-out was called during the last 3:54. Sena gave a shot. Delgado doubled his confidence and countered. Sena was fouled and took a two. The score was 61-64 with 2:48 remaining. Cagoco was fouled and brought JRU closer with 62-64.
The final two minutes was the most crucial period. JRU was glued to 64. Delgado powerfully drove his 17th, “breaking the backs of the JRU heavy bombers” as the announcer remarked astonishingly. Lead ballooned to seven in favor of STAGS.
The last 1:17 of the game registered a 64 -71 score. Aquino committed a foul. Cagoco earned a two. STAGS serving during the last 50 seconds. Hayes snatched the ball from Ballesteros, drove it all the way for an easy shot in the remaining 28.3
And here was the turning point. Score was 69-71. Delgado lost possesion. Viray made a foul. Foul shots were goaled registering a historic deadlock 71-71. Twenty-two seconds left. Aguino tried for a three but missed. Jason Nocum grabbed it sending everybody to their last breath. Buzzer signaled for an overtime. Whew!
The overtime must have given the Bombers the needed energy. Gacomo retaliated for a turnover 73-71. Nocum followed with a three to widen lead to five (76-71). Catching the energy back, Najorda lessened the margin (76-73). But errors from Pamboy, Del Rio, Aquino, and Viray gave away victory with 80-73.
STAGS lost for seven (7) points. Ironically, that 7-point lead was STAGS' advantage during the last 1:17 of the game.
With the right move, mind, mastery and momentum, we could have entered NCAA's magic four.
ALMOST!
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