Baguion trey lifts Hobe 5 over Wang's

MANILA, Philippines - Froilan Baguion made good a trey from top of the key with 1.5 seconds left as Hobe Bihon escaped with a heart-stopping 91-90 win over Wang’s Ballcub in the 2011 MBL Open basketball championship at the RTU gym in Mandaluyong.

Baguion’s three-pointer came after Mar Reyes split his free throws to give Wang’s Ballclub a 90-88 lead with 5.9 seconds left, capping a wild finish that saw both teams exchange leads throughout the payoff period.

Ex-pro Jojo Duncil canned in two pressure-laden free throws and former Philippine Patriots center Mark Andaya scored on a short stab to give Hobe the lead, 88-87, with 15 seconds left, but Ryan Regalado sank two free throws off Jason Misolas’ foul seconds later to regain the lead for Wang’s, 89-88.

After a miss by Misolas, Reyes grabbed the rebound and drew a foul from Eric de la Cuesta for two free throws. Reyes, however, missed the second and was whistled for a violation as he went for the rebound off his own miss. That set up Baguion’s heroics.

The win gave Hobe Bihon of coach Junnel Mendiola and manager Bobby Co the solo lead with three straight wins in the eight-team tournament supported by Smart Sports, Dickies underwear, Big Banners, PRC Couriers and WG Diner. Wang’s dropped to 2-2.

De La Cuesta finished with 13 points, while Duncil and Jeff Sanders added 10 points apiece for Hobe, which also won over Foscon Ship Management, 84-83, and Manuel L. Quezon University, 108-104.

Ryan Regalado had 17 points for Wang’s, which played minus ex-pro Jonathan Alave, Anthony Cuevas, Jonathan Pinera and JV Orera.