Mighty Sports-Philippines diniskaril ng Shanghai Sparks

MANILA, Philippines - Pumukol si NBA veteran Jimmer Fredette ng krusyal na charities, wala nang natitirang oras nang diskarilin ng Shanghai Sparks ang Mighty Sports Apparel Philippines, 78-77 para sa titulo ng Merlion Cup basketball tournament sa Singapore noong Linggo ng gabi.

Bumangon ang Sharks mula sa four-point deficit, 73-77 sa huling 36 segundo ng labanan at sinamantala ang mga turnovers ng Mighty Sports, 17-segundo na lang ang natitira sa laro nang makakuha ng foul si Fredette kay Al Thornton.

“We stuck to our game plan and it was working for us. It all boiled down to breaks. And they had an NBA-caliber player who took over the game. The Sharks deserved the win,” sabi ni Mighty Sports head coach Charles Tiu.

Masakit na pagkatalo ito sa Mighty Sports na inaasahang madudup-lika ang paghahari sa nakaraang Jones Cup noong July.

Nasayang ang four-point play ni Kiefer Ravena na nagbigay pa sa Mighty Sports-Phl ng 77-73 lead.

Ngunit hindi sumuko ang Sharks na umiskor ng quick basket bago pinuwersa ang Mighty Sports sa turnover at tuluyang kunin ang panalo at titulo mula sa  free throws ni Fredette na tumapos ng 41 points.

Samantala, pinasalamatan naman ng Mighty Sports organization sa isang statement ang Philippine Basketball Association gayundin ang Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at GlobalPort Batang Pier sa kanilang tulong.

“We thank the PBA, and Messrs. Terry Que and Raymund Yu of Rain or Shine, and Rep. Mikee Romero of GlobalPort for their genero-sity and understanding in allowing Joseph Yeo of the Batang Pier to play in the Merlion Cup and the Elasto Painters for allowing Jeric Teng to play in the 2016 William Jones Cup,” pahayag ng Mighty Sports. “Their commitment to Philippine basketball helped us bring glory to the country by winning the Jones Cup and finishing second in the Merlion Cup.”