Patrick Cabahug unleashed an 18-point splurge in the fourth quarter as he powered Toyota Otis to a come-from-behind 72-62 victory over Burger King yesterday to rekindle its playoff hopes in the PBL Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup at The Arena in San Juan.
Nothing but inconsistent going into this game with a measly average of 8.6 points an outing, Cabahug rediscovered his old lethal touch in time to send the Sparks back into playoff contention with a 3-6 (win-loss) slate.
“This is what I’ve been expecting from him, and this is the real Patrick Cabahug that showed up in this game,” said Toyota Otis coach Ariel Vanguardia. The Adamson U standout finished with 20 points, the same output dished out by veteran Erwin Sta. Maria to deal the Whoppers their fifth loss against the same number of wins.
Cabahug’s 18-point explosion fell two points shy of the league record in a quarter owned by now PBA star Ren Ren Ritualo, who fired 20 early in the decade with Welcoat Paints. Burger King appeared in control when it held a 54-50 lead on a pair of baskets by Mike Bravo early in the final canto.
It turned out the last as Cabahug stepped on the gas to torch the Whoppers. -Joey Villar