Spring Cooking Oil bags crown

TAGUIG, Rizal – Spring Cooking Oil added another crown to its growing collection Saturday by nosing out Wang’s Ball Club, 64-62, in the NBL (National Basketball League) Invitational Cup finals at the Tinga gym.

Former MBA hotshot Tyrone Bautista sank a buzzer-beating triple to ensure victory after Billy Moody had shoved Wang’s ahead, 62-61, with barely four seconds left.

"Suwerte pa rin," said Spring Coach Tito Palma after the game. "It’s another big win, coming after our success in the national, interclub and Espiritu Cup tournaments."

"The boys deserved it (title). They worked hard for it," said team owner and national pistol champion Nathaniel "Tac" Padilla, who’s also NBL vice president for operations.

Cebu’s M. Lhuillier Jewellers held off Forward Taguig, 87-81, in the first game to clinch third spot.

After Moody tied the count at 58, time down to 2:34, the lead changed hands three more times before Bautista heaved his long trey.

Spring’s Rodel Manuel was named the tourney’s most valuable player while Moody was selected finals MVP. The two also made it to the Mythical Five together with Lhuillier’s Aldrich Reyes, Spring’s Dave Bautista and Taguig’s Kim Macanig.