Jumbo stops Mighty Sports, forces rubber

MANILA, Philippines - Jeff Viernes hit two pressure-packed free throws to force overtime then Jason Ibay completed a three-point play in the closing seconds as Jumbo Plastic snatched a thrilling 89-87 decision over fancied Mighty Sports to force a sudden death for the PCBL Chairman’s Cup crown at the Marikina Sports Center Wednesday night.

James Martinez and Viernes exploded for 31 points each but the Linoleum Giants still had to rally from two points down in the last 14 seconds to extend the match then Ibay stepped up in the clutch to thwart Mighty Sports’ and send their best-of-three series to a winner-take-all match.

They dispute the crown at 7 tonight, also at the Marikina Sports Center.

But Jumbo Plastic appears to have the edge in Game Three as Mighty Sports will be without top gun and league MVP Kiefer Ravena, who left for London right after Game Two. Mighty Sports is also without Kevin Ferrer, who is playing for the Gilas Pilipinas cadet team in the SEABA Championship in Thailand.

Ravena capped Mighty Sports’ 7-0 run in regulation with a trey that put his team ahead, 79-78, and 14 seconds away from completing a Cinderella finish via sweep. Gab Banal split his charities to put the powerhouse team up by two after a travelling violation from Jumbo Plastic import Barracuda Arafat.

But Viernes took matters into his own hands, raced down court and picked up a foul from Allan Mangahas with six seconds left. He calmly sank both charities to force overtime.

In the extra period, Martinez and Viernes sustained their charge before Ibay came through with a three-point play that gave Jumbo Plastic an 89-85 lead in the last 54 seconds.

A post-game brawl nearly erupted as Mighty Sports reinforcement Bright Akhuetie, the tournament’s best import, tried to barge into Jumbo Plastic’ locker room.

“We were already celebrating when he kicked and tried to barge into our locker room,” said Jumbo Plastic coach Stevenson Tiu.

Mighty Sports coach Mike Fermin, on the other hand, claimed that Akhuetie told him that a Jumbo Plastic player touched his butt.

“He said he was touched on the private parts, which is against his religion. That’s out of bounds, he said,” Fermin said.