Viray nails it down for Mail & More

Jim Viray scored on a breakaway layup with 2.4 seconds to go as Mail & More snatched a 53-52 win over Henkel-Sista to book the last ticket to the semifinal round of the PBL Silver Cup at the Parañaque Sports Center.

The Comets pounced on Khiel Misa’s flubbed charities in the dying seconds with JR Quinahan pulling down the rebound and flicking a long pass to the streaking Viray down court for the game-winner that sealed Mail & More’s best-of-five semis duel with Hapee Toothpaste.

Ronjay Buenafe fired 13 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, as the Comets fought back from a 34-38 deficit in the third then outfoxed the Super Sealers at endgame.

"I have to be honest, we’re just lucky to win this game," said Mail & More coach Lawrence Chongson, whose wards have dropped their last three games.

Truly, Mail & More had to rely on two missed foul shots by Misa, a former Perpetual Help standout who came into the do-or-die match toting a 27-of-42 stint from the free throw line, with 9.6 seconds left in the contest that was close throughout.

Quinahan, the MVP statistical race leader, finished with only six points as he bungled 11 of the 14 shots he took but made up for the slack with that big rebound.

"Maybe he’s on a slump, or maybe they’re just defending well," said Chongson.

Marcy Arellano scored 14 points while Eder Saldua came through with 11, including three triples in the first half, but the Henkel-Sista duo failed to get the job done down the stretch.

Misa, one of the most talented pointguards in the league today, had a chance to shine but failed to seize the moment as he cracked under pressure and missed those free throws which, had he made, would have given his team a three-point cushion.

The semis begins tomorrow with Harbour Centre clashing with Toyota Otis in the other game at the Emilio Aguinalo College Gym.