Bautista binge ignites Sparks

Boyet Bautista uncorked an eight-point splurge in the final two minutes as Toyota Otis edged Granny Goose, 68-67, yesterday to close in on Montana in the PBL Unity Cup at the Olivarez Sports Center.

Bautista flicked two straight triples that turned a 60-62 deficit into a 66-62 lead with over a minute remaining in the contest although the Tortillos strung up five unanswered points to regain control, 67-66.

But the 5’10" Letran standout drove past Kelvin dela Pena off a Mark Andaya screen in the ensuing Toyota offensive and then launched baseline shot over the outstretched arms of Abby Santos that went in.

With 7.7 seconds left, Dela Pena, who scored the game-winner in Granny Goose’s 62-61 win over Rain or Shine before the Lenten break, threw a wayward shot before Andaya foiled Alfie Grijaldo’s putback as time expired, triggering a celebration at the Toyota bench.

The victory thus hiked Sparks’ record to 5-2, staying just half-a-game behind the pacesetting Montana Jewels (5-1).

Earlier, Hapee Toothpaste-PCU leaned on the backcourt duo of Jason Castro and Mark Moreno as it downed TeleTech, 68-63, to clinch its third win against four losses.

Castro scattered 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter while Moreno added seven, including a triple and three foul shots, in the final 29 seconds to seal the win for the Dolphins.

"I have to give it to Jason and Mark, they delivered the big baskets when we needed it most," said Hapee-PCU mentor Junel Baculi.

Holding a shaky 59-58 lead, Hapee went to Moreno, who drained a shot from behind the arc before the Bacolod City native, who also had five boards and five assists, added three more charities to cap his endgame heroics.