Al’s triple lifts Jewels past Titans

Al Vergara buried a triple in the dying seconds as Montaña came from behind to nip TeleTech, 64-63, yesterday and gain a share of the lead in the 2006 PBL Unity Cup at the Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque.

Just when everybody thought they had heard the last of the Jewels, Vergara rose to the occasion, flicking in a three-point shot from the corner with just .7 second left to complete Montaña’s stirring comeback from a 15-point deficit.

With the win, the Jewels tied idle Rain or Shine for the lead at 7-2.

"It was a tough win and the boys showed they have what it takes to win an important game," said coach Nel Parado. "They want to prove something so they really played hard and did not give up despite trailing most of the game."

In the second game, Granny Goose Tortillos upended Magnolia Ice Cream, 65-45, to notch its fifth victory against four losses while dealing the Spinners’ their fifth loss in nine games.

For a while, the Titans appeared set to end a five-game losing run when they posted a 63-56 lead on two free throws by Francis Mercado with just 1:45 left.

But the never-say-die attitude of the Jewels brought them to within 61-63 — thanks to a triple and two free throws by Froilan Baguion in an attack that drew wild applause from the crowd.