Sealions force winner-take-all

MANILA, Philippines — Jhon Patrick Panelo completed a rare four-play with barely a second remaining and lifted Olivarez College to a wild 81-80 overtime win over Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas to force a sudden death in the PGFLEX-backed UCAL Season 7 Finals yesterday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Sealions appeared to be goners when Alvin Reyes’ split gave the Dolphins an 80-77 lead with seven seconds left, but Panelo, after a getting an outlet pass, beat the buzzer with a long 3-point shot to the cheers of their supporters.

Game 3 is on Thursday.

Panelo went on to finish with 19 points on top of nine rebounds and six assists.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Dolphins who had chances to win the game in regulation only to self-destruct in the end.