MANILA, Philippines - Vic Manuel, playing his last game for his alma mater, came up with a memorable showing to lead the Philippine School of Business Administration Jaguars to a double overtime victory over the Olivarez College Sea Lions, 114-106.
Manuel scored a whopping 45 points, including 11 crucial points in the second extra period, to power the Jaguars to their first collegiate title in seven years Friday in the 10th Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) men’s basketball finals.
His drive in the last 4:37 of the second extra time touched off a 6-0 spurt, which allowed the Jaguars to shatter a 99-all first overtime tie, en route to the win that gave them a 2-1 series triumph over the Sea Lions at the Pasay Sports Complex.
The 6-4 Manuel earned the most valuable player honors in this cagefest supported by Mikasa and Molten Balls.
The Sea Lions, visibly affected by fatigue and the loss of three mainstays due to five fouls, managed to shoot only four of nine attempts in the remaining two minutes, giving the Jaguars a chance to widen their advantage to six in the remaining 1:47 off an offensive play by Manuel, 109-103.
“Naubusan din sila ng player. But still, dikit pa rin ang laban. Buti ang team ko ay hindi bumigay kahit masisipag ang kalaban,” said PSBA coach Philip Cezar.
Mark de la Cruz, who scored 37 points, kept the Sea Lions close, 106-109 with his drive, but charities from BJ Erol Role and Justine Puno in the last 20.1 seconds kept PSBA out of trouble.
De la Cruz was eventually named into the Mythical Five with his teammate Coronel, Jaguars Manuel and Puno and Manuel L. Quezon University’s Jopher Custodio.
Coronel banged in 19 points for the Sea Lions before leaving midway in the second overtime due to cramps.
Manuel’s split free throw in the final 22.4 seconds of the first extra period, sent the game into a second extension, 99-all. His jumper in the last 32.2 seconds of regulation led to the first overtime, 90-all.
Manuel and Roden Sagun could have actually won the game earlier for the Jaguars in regulation but they missed their attempts as time expired.
The Sea Lions tied the best-of-three series in Game 2 with an 83-74 stopping of the Jaguars last Wednesday.