Buzzer-beater lifts Niños

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – High leaping Cebuano hotshot Ian Saladaga scored on a lay-up at the buzzer to lift the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños over archrival Misamis Oriental Meteors, 80-79, to close out the preliminary round of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Misamis Oriental Leg at the Xavier University Gym Friday evening.

Saladaga, who returned to his mother team Cebu after a brief stint in the PBL, redeemed himself after he nearly cost his side the game. The former University of San Jose-Recoletos varsity star missed a put-back of a Woodraw Enriquez free throw miss and then inadvertently fouled Meteor center Arian Daja with eight seconds left and the Meteors ahead, 79-78. Daja though wilted under pressure and missed both free throws, with the Niños grabbing the rebound and a quick pass to the streaking Saladaga for the winner.