Dragons gun down Archers in triple overtime

CEBU - In one heck of a hardcourt showdown, the Yellow Dragons had to scrape through a record three overtimes before getting rid of the never-say-die Green Archers, 104-93, in the second conference of the 2008 Cebu United Bankers Association (CUBA) Basketball League at the Our Lady of Sacred Heart Parish along Escario Street, this city.

Emem Malahay, who finished with 17 points, calmly sank a pair of pressure-packed free throws to even the count at 63-all with three seconds left in the regulation period, thus, sending the game into its first overtime.

Alex Macaling could have sealed the match outright for the Dragons, but he failed to complete a three-point play when the score stood at 72-all, thus, forging another extra five-minute period.

The Dragons were staring at victory anew with an 80-78 lead with five seconds to go but Ronron Yap, younger brother of PBA star Roger Yap, courageously barreled his way down the middle and then converted a buzzer-beating shot to forge a third overtime.

In the third extension, the Dragons of coach Edmond Tecson showed indefatigable fighting spirit to outclass the obviously fagged out Archers, 24-13, and chalk up its second win in three games.

Baco paced the Dragons with 21 points followed by Alex Macaling with 19. Robert Rafson Chua banged in 15 markers even as two others  submitted twin figures underscoring their balanced offensive.

Yap topscored for the Ramos Cataros-led Archers with a game-high 25 points.

In the other game, Eric So sparkled with 19 points and team captain Volter Rosal added 16 as the Red Lions unleashed a powerful endgame attack to smother the Blue Eagles, 59-56.

The scores

First game

Dragons (104) - Baco 21, Macanig 19, Malahay 17, Chua 15, Allera 12, Cenita 10, Aparri 8, Navarro 2

Archers (93) - Yap 25, Saliz 20, Maravilla 12, Go 10, Liston 8, Lim 6, Ornopia 5, Matarlo 4, Cataros 3

Quarterscores:27-21, 31-32, 41-52, 63-all (Reg.), 72-all (1OT), 80-all (2OT), 104-93 (3OT)

Second game

Lions (59) - So 19, Rosal 16, Bacalla 8, Olalo 8, Jovs 6, Tevez 2,

Eagles (56) - Osorio 21, Gaballes 14, Rizada 8, Bargamento 7, Miñoza 4, Mirafuentes 2 Quarterscores:16-16, 26-33, 41-47, 59-56 – EBV (THE FREEMAN)