NCAA All-Star: Grey’s heroics, Cruz’ freebies carry West over East

Jonathan Grey is the NCAA All-Star MVP. Photo by Randolph Leongson.

Behind Jonathan Grey’s late spurt and miraculous freebies from Mark Cruz, the West All-Stars pulled an 89-88 stunner in the 2015 NCAA All-Star Game Friday at San Juan Arena.

Trailing by seven, 88-81, with 28.5 seconds remaining, Grey drained two consecutive three-pointers with 14.9 ticks left to pull the West squad within one, 87-88.

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A costly turnover from Jiovani Jalalon in the last four seconds of the game gave West another crack for the win. Mark Cruz then got fouled by Jamil Ortuoste on a hail-mary, and the Letran guard knocked down two of his three charities with 0.2 seconds left to help West escape with the victory.

Grey was adjudged as the All-Star Game MVP, leading his squad with 20 points, eight in the final frame, on a 4-of-5 shooting from threes.

“I didn’t expect that I’ll be the MVP. We just wanted to win,” the Blazer wingman said.

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Cruz also had 10 markers, while Allwell Oraeme got a double-double in the pulsating victory.

“Nearing the fourth, I was tempted to pullout Grey because our full-court press wasn’t followed. But I decided not to because he was playing well and he closed the game for us,” said West coach Aldin Ayo who called the shots for the squad composed of stars from Letran, St. Benilde, Lyceum, Mapua, and EAC to the win.

It was a sorry loss for the East squad, bannered by stars from San Beda, Perpetual, Arellano, Perpetual, and JRU, with Tey Teodoro leading the team with 17 points, all in the second half, along with four rebounds, and three assists.

Jalalon finished with 12 markers, as Bright Akhuetie also had a double-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks.

The Scores:

WEST ALL-STARS 89 – Grey 20, Cruz 10, Oraeme 10, Gabayni 8, Mejos 8, Munsayac 7, Nambatac 6, Alanes 4, Ongteco 4, Baltazar 3, Saavedra 3, Racal 2, Onwubere 2, Serrano 2, Nieles 0.
EAST ALL-STARS 88 – Teodoro 17, Jalalon 12, Akhuetie 10, Guinto 10, Ylagan 6, Dela Cruz 6, Calisaan 6, Koga 5, Ortuoste 5, Salado 4, Sorela 4, Dela Paz 2, Abdulwahab 1, Nicholls 0, Dagangon 0.

Quarters: 19-14, 41-38, 59-63, 89-88.