Taking up the scoring cudgels, Madrid pumped in 13 points, nine of them from the free throw line, in the last five minutes to give the Slashers their second straight victory after dropping the best-of-five series opener at the USLS Gym in Bacolod City last week.
The Slashers thus regained the homecourt edge, needing only to beat the Gems in Game Four at the same venue on Wednesday to reach the final against the winner of the Northern Conference.
Even if they lose, however, the Slashers have another chance as the best-of-five series would return to Bacolod for Game Five on Friday.
It was a brilliant comeback for the Slashers, who trailed by as many as 16 points early in the third quarter. Cid White, however, sparked an uprising and they finally knotted the count at 71-all.
John Ferriols put the Slashers ahead with a jumper before Peter Naron forged the game’s sixth and last deadlock at 73.
Johnedel Cardel, however, scored on a Blitz 3, Reynel Hugnatan followed up and after Joey Santamaria countered for the Gems, Madrid took matters into his own hands.
Despite failing to account for a basket in the homestretch, White was picked as the best player of the game with his 18 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a steal. Madrid also had 18 points.
Play was halted with two minutes and 36 seconds left as fans pelted the court with plastic mineral water bottles after a technical foul was called on Cebu coach Tonichi Yturri for arguing vehemently against the referees’ calls.