PBA D-League: Wangs battles back from 18, stuns Mindanao in OT

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Wangs Basketball pulled the rug from Mindanao and escaped with a 97-88 overtime win Thursday in the 2016 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at Ynares Sports Arena.

Gwyne Capacio took over and dropped nine of his 23 points in the extra period that wen along with six rebounds.

“Talagang malaking bagay sya sa team at kitang kita naman kung paano sya nakatulong,” said Wangs coach Pablo Lucas of Capacio.

James Mangahas also finished with 18 markers and 11 rebounds, Francis Munsayac got 17 points and eight assists, and Clark Bautista poured 16 on a 3-of-8 shooting from threes.

The quartet were instrumental in the Couriers’ fightback from 18-points down, 58-40, in the third period. They closed the fourth quarter on a scathing 19-1 run, capped off by a couple of free throws from Capacio that game them a 79-77 lead with 36.7 seconds to go.

Ken Acibar knotted the score at 79, but Bautista and Jumao-as failed to give their respective teams the win in regulation.

“Sumunod yung mga players. Yung intensity sa defense at rotation sa opensa, nagawa nila,” Lucas noted of the fightback.

“Malaking lesson yung nangyari sa amin last game,” he continued, reflecting on the 107-70 rout by Phoenix last Monday. “Ayaw na namin maiwan at hahabol kami hangga’t hindi tapos yung game. Yung mga bata, di sumuko.”

Dexter Garcia’s 23-point outing went to waste as the Aguilas’ meltdown dropped them to 0-2.

Acibar also had a near double-double of 18 markers and nine rebounds, while Gino Jumao-as had 15 points in the defeat.

The Scores:

WANGS BASKETBALL 97 – Capacio 23, Mangahas 18, Munsayac 17, Bautista 16, Vijandre 6, Ilad 5, Banal 4, Je. Montemayor 4, Cueto 2, Jo. Montemayor 2, Namocatcat 0, Tumalip 0.
MINDANAO 88 – Garcia 23, Acibar 18, Jumao-as 15, Sarangay 11, Julkipli 5, Rivera 5, Ignacio 4, Ongteco 3, Rublico 2, Villanueva 2, De Guzman 0, Nalos 0, Wetherell 0.

Quarters: 10-24, 29-39, 50-62, 79-79, 97-88.