Mariners strike back, cop title

MANILA, Philippines - Newcomer Philippine Merchant Marine School battled back from 13 points down in the third quarter then outfoxed La Consolacion College-Manila in overtime to hack out a 57-51 victory and capture the fourth Interscholastic Athletic Association basketball crown yesterday at the Makati Coliseum.

Dhon Reverente scored four points in the extra period then set up Elmar Moradas for a three-point play with 59 seconds left to secure the victory, capping the Mariners’ stirring fightback from a double-digit deficit to clinch the title on their very first year.

It was a virtual repeat of their 63-61 victory in Game 2 where they rallied from 16 points down to force the decider.

PMMS, coached by ex-PBL cager Aldrin Morante, entered the series as title favorites but the Blue Royals stole Game 1 with a 58-56 win.

Reverente finished with 17 points and went on to bag the MVP award from the ISAA board headed by president Ruel dela Rosa of Manila Tytana Colleges.

La Consolacion appeared headed for a big victory after storming to a 40-27 lead early in the third. But Reverente, former PBA D-League cager Roger Malig-on, Sany Trinidad and Moradas combined to key a big 21-7 attack.

The Mariners grabbed a 48-47 lead with 2:13 left in regulation but the Blue Royals’ Josue Quintal split his charities, 1:46 remaining, to send the rubber match into overtime.

Malig-on had 14 points while Trinidad pumped in 10 markers for the Mariners, who swept the six-game classification to claim the outright finals berth.

The tournament was backed by Molten and Mikasa of Sonia Trading, Globe and Abot Kaya Pinoy.