Pasay forces rubber in Coca-Cola Hoopla

Manila, Philippines - Pasay battled back from 16 points down to beat host Taguig, 98-94, and force a rubber match for the right to represent the South Zone in the Inter-Zonal phase of the second Coca-Cola Hoopla National Capital Region Championship at the Duenas gym.

Diminutive Gio Ramos came up big, scoring six of his team last 11 points as Pasay, which trailed twice by 16 in the first period, bucked the 43-point production of Taguig’s Joshua Mayor to essay the come-from-behind win.

Pasay can join Quezon City (East), Caloocan (North), Antipolo (West) and Mandaluyong (Central) in the two-round Inter-Zonal with another victory over Taguig.

Ramos paced Pasay with 24 points, including 17 in the second half, and dished out seven assists, Aldrin Yambot added 20, and De Vega chipped 18.

JB Baylon, Coca-Cola export vice president for communication and public affairs, was elated by the big crowd that included Taguig Rep. Jun Duenas.

“I was indeed happy. They were very enthusiastic and excited by the game. Maganda ito sa grassroots development,” said Baylon.

Taguig, which needed to win to enter the semis, dominated three quarters of the game until the resilient Pasay squad caught fire and tied the game, 70-all, going to the fourth period.

The host regained the upper hand, 86-81, after battling through three more deadlocks before Ramos came to Pasay’s rescue with timely hits down the stretch.