Wesley heroics bail Fash Liquid out

Wesley Gonzales stepped up in the crucial stretch and teamed up with June Peter Simon as Fash Liquid Power turned back a gritty ICTSI-La Salle side, 76-73, in overtime to assure itself of a semifinal berth in the PBL Platinum Cup at the University of Santo Tomas Gym yesterday.

Gonzales, one of the bright prospects in next week’s PBA Annual Draft, scored nine of his 21 points in the extra period, including two straight baskets that shattered a 67-all deadlock as the Liquid Powers notched their sixth win in 11 games.

Gonzales’ late-game heroics more than made for the slack in offense caused by the late arrival of Rich Alvarez, an Ateneo teammate and one of the top PBA aspirants, forcing Fash coach Junel Baculi to use him sparingly in a game they needed him most.

"Na-traffic daw," said Fash manager Bernard Yang referring to Alvarez.

It also took Sunkist-UST an extra period to beat Blustar, 86-80, in the other game with Emerson Oreta nailing three triples in overtime to anchor the Tigers’ fifth straight win and eighth overall against four setbacks.

It was Blustar’s fifth setback against seven wins.

The Liquid Powers hope to formalize their stint into the next round with a win over also-ran Viva Mineral Water on Saturday in Pasig City.

Simon led Fash with 23 points while Allan Salangsang chipped in 15 and 11 rebounds.

Dino Aldeguer, Joseph Yeo and Jun Jun Cabatu chalked up double-digit scores with 19, 13 and 12 markers, respectively, while rookie TY Tang scored the basket that forced the overtime.

But the Archers failed to stop Gonzales and fell to their 10th defeat against two wins.