Buzzer-beater lifts Pasay over Batangas

MANILA, Philippines — Laurenz Victoria hit a dagger jumper at the buzzer to power Pasay past Batangas, 65-64, last Thursday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.

The long two-pointer by the former Mapua Cardinal capped a closing seven-point run by the Voyagers in the last 64 seconds that reversed the outcome of the game controlled by the Rum Masters.

Patrick Sleat’s floater and triple sparked Pasay’s comeback from as far as 34-47 and as late as 58-64 with only 88 seconds left, pushing the Voyagers record to 3-1 in the elimination round of the country’s top regional league.

Other games saw Rizal XentroMall cruise to a coast-to-coast 92-81 victory over South Cotabato and San Juan trounce Iloilo, 106-78.

Alwyn Alday sparkled for Rizal, which climbed to 4-0 and shared the lead with Parañaque and Zamboanga, with 22 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Kraniel Villoria provided solid support with 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.