McAloney powers Cebu Sharks vs Iloilo Royals in MPBL thriller

CEBU, Philippines — Fil-Australian William McAloney completed a pivotal three-point play in the last three seconds of the contest to power the Cebu Sharks to a 69-68 cliffhanger over the Iloilo United Royals in the 2019 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Lakan Cup on Monday night at the Valenzuela Astrodome in Metro Manila.

The Sharks nearly flirted with disaster after pulling ahead by eight points, 61-53, on Edrian Lao’s basket at the final 4:58 mark as the Royals countered with a 15-5 blitz to seize the upperhand, 68-66, on Rodel Samboy de Leon’s fadeaway jumper with only 48 seconds left to play.

After the two sides swapped missed attempts, McAloney showed iron nerves in sinking a floating jump shot while fishing a foul from Eric Rodriquez with only three ticks remaining in the gameclock.

With the score tied at 68-all, McAloney calmly sank his pressure-packed gift shot that turned out to be the game-clincher for the Sharks.

The Royals actually had a chance to steal the win but Al Francis Tamsi misfired his 3-point attempt as the time expired.

McAloney finished with 15 points that went along with nine rebounds. Rhaffy Octobre was the other double-digit scorer with 11 points on top of nine boards and two steals as the Sharks snapped out of their two-game skid to even their record to 3-3.

Several others figured prominently for the Sharks, who will face next the Mindoro Tamaraws on July 22 at the Pasig City Sports Complex.

Top gunner Patrick Cabahug was held off to only eight points but had four rebounds and four assists, Lao contributed nine points and 10 rebounds while Victor Nunez nailed seven markers, seven assists and five rebounds for the Manila-based Cebu squad.

De Leon topscored with 20 points, five rebounds and three assists for the Royals, who suffered their only second loss in five starts. (FREEMAN)