Manila outlasts Pampanga in 2OT, forces Game 3 in FBA finals

MANILA, Philippines – Matt Salem and Issa Gaye came through in the clutch as Manila National U-MFT turned back Pampanga-Foton, 111-109, in double overtime to force a deciding Game Three in the Filports Basketball Association Second Conference finals at the Colegio De San Sebastian gym in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Salem unleashed a game-high 29 points while Issa Gaye scattered 26, most of which came in second OT to help the Mica Tan-backed Bulldogs steal the win, level their best-of-three series at one-game apiece and arrange a sudden death set at 5:00 p.m. today at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center.

The Toplanders took the series opener, 76-69, last week and went all out to wrap up the series in Game Two of this tournament sponsored by Korgivit and Titan.

But Manila NU-MFT had other things in mind, hanging tough enough to snatch the win from the jaws of defeat.

Pampanga Foton were led by Levi Hernandez and Allan Mangahas, who unloaded 35 and 23 points, respectively.

Meanwhile, Hernandez emerged the season MVP while Jawhar Purdy of Pateros Austen Morris the Best Player of the Conference.

Also feted were Mythical First Team awardees Hernandez, Gaye, Marikina Wang's Cedric Labing-isa, Ernest Reyes of Malolos Mighty Bulsu and another Pampanga Foton player Marlon Gomez.