Hapee-Dewfoam dodges upset axe in NBC debut

The Hapee-Dewfoam Mantawi Sparkling Knights had a roller-coaster ride in their Panasonic-National Basketball Conference debut as they needed an extra five-minute period before disposing off the gritty Valencia-Bukidnon Golden Harvests, 82-79, on Sunday night at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

The visitors from Bukidnon perhaps wanted to vent their ire against Hapee after losing to defending champion Skygo-Tribu Sugbu the other night, 67-73, in Minglanilla as they appeared to be more cautious and cohesive only to fold up in the dying seconds of the overtime period.

In fact, the Golden Harvests saw themselves leading by as much as 14 points, 66-52, early in the fourth period.

What they should have done was to play extra careful to protect the lead, but Hapee used its experience to buck away any pressures from the visitors.

Strong endgame kick and the killer instinct had been lacking for the Golden Harvests in their back-to-back losses in Cebu, but Valencia team officials love the way the played giving Hapee a run for its money. Team consultant Mico Ocho said they just fall short-handed, but Valencia Mayor Jose Galario is happy with his wards for putting up a gallant fight.

The presence of Ron Capati and Ardy Larong, both PBL teammates from Toyota Otis Letran, proved to be a huge factor especially in offense as they immediately served notice of their entries to the Sparkling Knights.

Capati, who only had six minutes rest in the entire 45-minute action, led Hapee with 23 points on top of 12 rebounds, two steals, two block shots and a single assist, while Larong finished with 14 points, five rebounds and a nifty assist to Mark Moreño that gave Hapee a 71-70 lead with 3:36 left in the regulation.

Valencia actually had a chance to deliver the upset ax to Hapee, but streak-shooter Dino Cabili committed one crucial miss from the free throw line that would have earned him the hero's role. His split charities in the final 37.6 seconds tied the count at 73-all.

The Golden Harvests blew another winning chance when veteran guard Joselito Celiz lost the ball in the final 8.2 seconds in regulation, thus, the overtime.

Larong made a sudden impact when he scored five straight points in overtime for a 79-75 Hapee lead.

A second overtime was in the offing, but Valencia's Jester Adams was called for a stepping violation with 7.9 seconds remaining. That sealled the Golden Harvests' doom.

The Golden Harvests somehow showed they're vulnerable to their South rivals as they also lost to Cagayan de Oro and Ozamiz, yet won two games in the North against Cavite and Baguio. They currently hold a 2-4 win-loss record.

Adams and Cabili topscored for Valencia with 14 points apiece, while Franklin Nailon had 10 points.

The scores

Hapee-Dewfoam (82) - Capati 23, Gloria 15, Larong 14, Huelar 9, Tundag 8, Moreño 8, France 3, Carretas 0, Sereño 0, Antiporda 0.

Valencia (79) - Adams 14, Cabili 14, Nailon 10, Berami 9, Celiz 8, Toring 7, Cruz 6, Gargasin 5, Culdora 2, Madera 2. Reroma 2 Quarterscores 17-24; 40-41; 52-62; 82-79.