MANILA, Philippines - Paul Lee hit a triple with 1.3 seconds left as Cobra Energy Drink came from behind to nip FCA Cultivators, 71-70, to wrest the solo lead in Group B in the classification round of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the San Juan gym yesterday.
Lee’s late-game heroics capped Cobra’s rally from eight points down in the last four minutes, raising the team’s card to 4-1 and boosting the Ironmen’s bid for one of the two outright quarterfinal berths. The former UE star finished with 30 points on 12 of 24 shooting while making three of seven triples.
“This is a huge win for us. The players showed tremendous desire to win this one,” said coach Eric Gonzales.
The loss dropped the Cultivators to solo fourth at 3-2.
After Alan Husted made a split to give FCA a 70-68 lead with five seconds left, Cobra mapped out a play for Lee, who got past Neil Pascual
before taking the game winner over the 6-foot-4 Mark Canlas.
Earlier, Alex Nuyles scored with 21 points, highlighted by three triples, as Freego Jeans rolled past a skidding Pharex side, 72-54.