Cagers drop heartbreaker to Spain side

SINGAPORE – The Philippines, badly needing a win to stay in the quarterfinal race of the basketball competitions of the Youth Olympic Games, blew a three-point lead in the last 2:05 and dropped a 25-27 thriller of a loss to Spain at the Scape Youth Space courts here yesterday.

The RP dribblers dished out a superb game after a jittery stint in their 28-34 loss to Virgin Islands Monday but still fell short of their bid as they lost their poise in a scrambling finish of a contest that could’ve gone either way.

With their second straight setback, the Pinoy cagers found themselves in the brink of elimination in Group D action, their very slim chances now hinge not only on a sweep of the last two games against Croatia and South Africa but also on a sweep by Virgin Islands (2-0) of its last two games against Croatia (2-0) and Spain (2-1).

In this scenario, Virgin Islands will advance to the quarters while Croatia, Spain and RP will end up tied at 2-2 although it could be the next thing to impossible as Croatia is tipped to win at least one of its last two games and Spain fancied over Virgin Islands.

Bobby Ray Parks hit a triple to give RP a 21-18 lead with 2:05 remaining in the two five-minute periods, sparking an early celebration from the Filipino crowd, including Parks father and former seven-time PBA best import awardee Bobby Parks and former PBA cager Alvin Teng, whose son Jeron is also a member of the team.

But it proved short-lived as the 6-4 Mikel Motos quickly scored on an undergoal stab and 6-7 Javier Medori forced his way underneath for another twinner after Parks badly missed another three-point attempt as Spain surged ahead at 22-21 with 1:34 left.

A shot-clock beating jumper by Teng shoved RP to a 23-22 lead for the last time as Luis Costa wove through RP defense for a basket to regain the lead for Spain then Medori fired a triple in the closing seconds that silenced the crowd and slammed the quarters door shut on the Filipinos.

They tried to stop the clock through fouls after Teng scored on a swift play that made 25-27 but the referees let go of the situation, enabling Spain to escape with the win and a chance to advance after it was surprised by Croatia, 29-27, in Sunday’s opener.

The Pinoy cagers play Croatia today and South Africa tomorrow.