Excelroof subdues Pharex in overtime

MANILA, Philippines - Excelroof leaned on the exploits of its San Sebastian standouts anew as it rallied to beat Pharex B-Complex, 97-87, in overtime in the opener of their PBL PG Flex Placenta Cup best-of-three title showdown at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Jimbo Aquino, Gilbert Bulawan and Calvin Abueva, vital cogs in the Stags’ NCAA title conquest last year, combined for 71 points as the 25ers overcame an early 17-point deficit to move within a win of completing a Cinderella feat.

Coach Ato Agustin and his chargers go for the crown in Game Two in the same venue tomorrow.

Abueva stepped up his game in overtime, drawing the sixth fouls of Vic Manuel, Ford Arao and Arvie Braganza in succession.

“He played big for us,” said Agustin of Abueva who finished with 20 points.

“We expect them to bounce back in Game Two but we will do our best to make it two in a row,” Agustin added.

Aquino made 27 points and Bulawan added 21 for the 25ers who showed tremendous poise and confidence in outlasting the Maroons in their gripping battle.

“We were patient. Our championship experience also helped us in this win,” said Agustin.

Woody Co, who finished with 16 points, hit three straight triples to help the Maroons erect a huge 48-31 lead in the third quarter.

But the 25ers didn’t give up, working on a furious fourth-quarter counterattack to surge ahead at 83-81.

Former Far Eastern U standout Marlon Adolfo hit buzzer-beater to force overtime.

Then Abueva took from there.

“I asked the boys to play aggressive in OT and they did,” said Agustin.

Aquino also came through with seven rebounds and four assists on top of his sizzling scoring effort while Bulawan and Abueva combined for 28 boards, three blocks and the same number of assists.

Excelroof’s amazing recovery from a 17-point deficit was the biggest comeback in the league since Hapee Toothpaste, currently on leave, rallied from 18 points down to beat Harbour Centre, 74-73, in Game One of the 2008 second conference finals.

Vic Manuel, a rookie out of PSBA who is one of the leading candidates for the MVP award, struggled and finished with only 10 points.

The scores:

Excel Roof 97– Aquino 27, Bulawan 24, Abueva 20, Raymundo 8, Bagatsing 7, Sangalang 6, Pascual 3, del Rio 2, Delgado 0, Taylor 0, Celada 0

Pharex B 87 – Co 16, Adolfo 13, Lopez 10, Arao 10, Manuel 10, Braganza 8, Reyes 7, David 6, Tecson 5, Hipolito 2, Sison 0, E. Reyes 0

Quarterscores: 12-17; 31-39; 54-62; 97-87