MANILA, Philippines – Birthday boy Vince Magbuhos nailed a looping 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds left in overtime as the Adamson Soaring Falcons completed an improbable comeback against the defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles, 74-71, in their UAAP Season 86 thriller at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
Magbuhos received the inbound pass, took one dribble to the right and pulled up from the 3-point territory over the outstretched arms of Jason Credo.
The ball hit the board, bounced around the rim for a bit before finally dropping in as time expired.
IN AND OUT AND IN!
— John Bryan Ulanday (@bryanulanday) October 7, 2023
Vince Magbuhos rattles in the off balance, game-winning 3 as Adamson stuns Ateneo, 74-71.@PhilippineStar@StarSportsHub@PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/SQei0iRqA5
Magbuhos' heroics came after the two teams only managed to score two points each in the course of the overtime period.
The Falcons trailed by as much as 19 points in the first half.
They then allowed the Blue Eagles to score just nine points in the third quarter to pull to within five, 53-48, heading into the final quarter.
Ateneo was leading by three, 69-66, late in the fourth.
A Monty Montebon 3-pointer from the corner tied it up for the Falcons with 29.4 seconds remaining.
On the other end, Chris Koon dribbled away the time as the Blue Eagles were called for a shot clock violation.
Joem Sabandal missed a layup that would have given Adamson the win in regulation.
In the overtime period, Koon made a short jumper to open things.
Ced Manzano also canned in a 2-pointer shortly after.
The two teams figured in a scoring drought, and with less than 30 seconds remaining, they scrambled for the ball after Ateneo's Mason Amos lost it to Manzano.
Joshua Yerro was called for the foul as he dove for the ball, but Amos missed both of his freebies.
In the next possession, Montebon tried to attack and shoot over Sean Quitevis, but the Ateneo defender seemed to hit the hand of Montebon.
No foul was called, but the ball went to Adamson, paving the way for Magbuhos’ game-winner.
Eli Ramos and Manzano led Adamson with 12 points each.
The hero Magbuhos had 11 points for the Falcons.
Amos led Ateneo with 12 points and six rebounds.