Bio-Fresh, Sun & Rain stay alive in UABC tilt

CEBU, Philippines - It was a day of upsets as Bio-Fresh and Sun & Rain gunned down their twice-to-beat foes to keep breathing in the United Architects Basketball Club (UABC) Season 3 dubbed as “2nd Davies Cup” last Sunday at the CEC gym.

Criz Matunog knocked in a wide open 3-pointer with 10 seconds left in overtime to power Bio-Fresh to a nerve-tingling 79-78 victory over Megacryl, while Sun & Rain followed the same script with Duane “The Shadow” Anino drilling a triple with five seconds remaining in the regulation period to vault his team to a 75-73 squeaker over Powerfloor.

Megacryl actually has a chance to snatch the win but turned over the ball at the final buzzer.

Matunog was the thumbs-up choice as player of the game after finishing with 26 points on top of six rebounds, four blocks, three steals and two assists. Vincent Sesbreño banged in 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists for Bio-Fresh followed by Jojkjok Cabigas with 12 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Oliver Maspinas paced Megacryl with a season-best 32 points and 14 rebounds.

In the other game, Powerfloor had an opportunity to send the game into overtime after Anino’s booming trey, but Klein Baladya’s mid-range jumper bounced off the rim.

The explosive Mike Cinco once again paced Sun & Rain with 19 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and five steals in a monster showing, while the hulking Arvin Branzuela tossed in 18 points, seven rebounds and two steals.

Baladya led Powerfloor with 17 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals, while UABC president Antonio “Jay-R” Decatoria, Jr. added 14 points and 15 rebounds in a losing cause.

The double knockout match is scheduled this Sunday, with the winners slugging it out for the coveted championship on August 9.

The scores

First game

Bio-Fresh (79) — Matunog 26, Sesbreño 16, J. Cabigas 12, Osmeña 9, Tan 6, Villarin 5, Y. Cabigas 2

Megacryl (78) — Maspinas 32, Vidal 14, Bonjoc 11, Abellana 8, Badayos 4, Pagay 3, Lancin 2, Pepito 2, Agosto 2

Second game

Sun & Rain (75) — Cinco 19, Branzuela 18, Emboy 10, Anino 8, Villacorta 8, Partosa 5, Alberto 3, Espinosa 2, Hondrada 2

Powerfloor (73) — Baladya 17, Decatoria 14, Ong 12, Tan 10, Sia 10, Barrios 8, Camello 2—EBV (THE FREEMAN)