Elliot Tan rises in clutch as Jumbo Plastic trips Blackwater

Elliot Tan. NUKI SABIO/FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Guard Elliot Tan unleashed 15 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to carry Jumbo Plastic to a 79-72 win over Blackwater Sports Thursday in the 2013 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup.

Tan’s late-game heroics helped sustain the Giants’ streak as his baseline jumper sent the game to overtime, then an open jumper with 18.5 seconds to play in OT sealed the win.

“He’s really our leader. He’s one of my veterans,” said head coach Steve Tiu of Tan, who churned out a game-best 26 points.

Jan Colina chipped in 14, including two timely hook shots in OT, and Harold Arboleda had 13, including a crucial three, for the Giants, who even trailed by six late in regulation.

Jumbo Plastic improved to 8-2 with their third straight win and moved up to second place behind leader Big Chill (10-1).

“Hopefully we could sustain this until next year,” said Tan as the league takes a half-month break for the holidays.

It was tough loss for Blackwater ( 4-3), which blew a 63-56 lead in the last two minutes. The Elite went scoreless in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter and went 2-of-8 from the field in overtime.

Allan Mangahas, who had with 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Elite, had 11 in fourth quarter and OT but it wasn’t enough to lead the Elite to a win.