LBC stuns ’Gapo, makes final

No lead is safe when you are playing LBC Batangas.

The Olongapo Volunteers learned this bitter lesson as the Blades rallied from four points down in the final 22.5 seconds to eke out a pulsating 76-75 victory yesterday and set up a rematch with the RCPI Negros Slashers in the MBA first conference finals.

With their backs against the wall, the Blades refused to crack up and with key plays by Eddie Laure and Tony Boy Espinosa and a pair of crucial defensive stops in the closing seconds the team went on to steal the win before a stunned crowd at Olongapo Convention Center.

Trailing, 71-75, Alex Compton set up Laure, last year’s MVP awardee, at the right corner for a triple that cut Olongapo’s lead to just a point, 74-75.

And after Jeff Flowers, who finished with 18 points and a game-high 27 rebounds, muffed the front end of a one-and-one, Jeff Sanders took the rebound and quickly sued for time with 9.9 seconds left in the contest.

Knowing that the Volunteers’ defense would focus on Sanders and Compton, who combined for 41 points, LBC Batangas coach Nash Racela set up an isolation play for Espinosa, who then drove hard against Johnadel Cardel for the clincher.

The Volunteers had a chance to claim the game with 5.5 ticks left but Flowers, who scored on a 20-foot jumper earlier that gave them a 75-71 cushion, muffed one from top of the key as time expired.

"We just got lucky in the endgame," said Racela. "But most importantly, we showed toughness and composure out there."

Olongapo, cheered boisterously by the hometown crowd headed by its Mayor Kate Gordon and Tourism Secretary Dick Gordon, squandered an 11-point third quarter lead for that close finish.

Games 1 and 2 of the title series are scheduled this weekend in Bacolod City.