NU forges rubber match vs Foton

MATT Salem erupted for 29 points and Issa Gaye had 26 as Manila National U-MFT repulsed Pampanga-Foton, 111-109, in double overtime to force a rubbermatch in the Filsports Basketball Association (FBA) Second Conference finals yesterday at Colegio De Sebastian gym in San Fernando, Pampanga.

With the conference title on the line, the Bulldogs got back at the Toplanders to level their best-of-three series after two games and arrange the decider at 5 p.m. today at Malolos Sports and Convention Center.

The Toplanders, led by Levi Hernandez’s 35 points and Allan Mangahas who added 23, seemed headed for a sweep of the tournament backed by Korgivit and Titan.

But the Mika Tan-backed Bulldogs unleashed a spirited comeback late in the game with Gaye delivering in the crucial stages of the extra period.

Hernandez was named season Most Valuable Player while Jawhar Purdy of Pateros Austen Morris took home the Best Player of the Conference award.

Hernandez and Gaye were joined in the Mythical First Team by Cedric Labing-isa of Marikina Wang’s, Ernest Reyes of Malolos Mighty Bulsu and Marlon Gomez of Foton.