Playing before a roaring crowd of 8,000 fans at the Quezon Convention Center here in Lucena City, the Paint Masters called on Tubid who responded with a fourth quarter explosion to bring Welcoat back from the brink.
From there, Adducul, the PBA’s second overall draft pick signed up by Barangay Ginebra, took over, scoring four of his team’s nine points in overtime that took the fight out of the disappointed Grease Busters.
"We just kept our composure, we didn’t give up, we never lost hope and we pulled us through in the end," said Welcoat coach Leo Austria.
The Paint Masters shoot for a comfortable 2-0 edge tomorrow when the series shifts to Lipa City, Batangas.
The game, which drew a total of 49 fouls — 19 by Welcoat and 30 by Dazz — that translated into 58 free throws, produced a lot of heroes.
There was Adducul, who was overpowering in extra period. There were also Marc Pingris and seldom used Dennis Miranda, both instrumental in the Paint Masters’ huge comeback.
But no one matched the energetic Tubid’s heroic finish.
Tubid, signed up by Shell to a three-year multi-million deal, was Welcoat’s miracle man as he erupted for 16 of his 19 points in the pivotal fourth quarter rampage to erase Dazz’s 18-point lead.
"I have to mention Tubid, talagang gusto pa rin niyang maglaro kahit nagkaka-cramps na siya," said Austria of his veteran guard out of University of the East.
The Grease Busters were also muscle, power and bulk in the first three quarters as they made the Paint Masters bleed for every point to take control, 54-36, going into the final period.
But it was to be Dazz’s last show of force as Tubid, backed up by the power dunking Pingris and Miranda, suddenly caught fire and erupted in the last canto to force an OT.