Buzzer-beater lifts Kings over Boosters

MANILA, Philippines - Jayjay Helterbrand eluded defender Alex Cabagnot then scored on a twisting double-pump off 6-foot-10 Nick Fazekas at the buzzer as Barangay Ginebra opened its campaign in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with an 84-82 nail-biter over Petron Blaze Boosters at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Fazekas made an incredible three-pointer to tie the count at 82 with 3.9 seconds left but Helterbrand got away with a hair-raising shot of his own as time expired, giving Ginebra a triumphant start in the mid-season tourney following a sixth-place finish in the Philippine Cup.

The Kings squandered a 22-point first-half lead but pulled through just the same while also drawing tremendous efforts from returning import Chris Alexander, old star Mark Caguioa and new  recruit Kerby Raymundo.

Alexander produced 21 points and 24 rebounds as against Fazekas’ 37 markers and 18 boards in their fierce showdown.

“The play was really designed for Jayjay (Helterbrand). But the coach already had nothing to do with what happened. Jayjay created that shot,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen on Helterbrand’s winning shot.

“We turned the ball over too much and we hurt ourselves with those errors. They were quick to fight back from a big deficit because of their transition plays. But I have to give it to the guys. They hung in there,” Tanquingcen also said. (Report by Nelson Beltran; Video by Cris Cayanan)