Jumbo pips Mighty, forces title rubber match

Members of Jumbo Plastic give each other high fives. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

James Martinez and Jeff Viernes shouldered the offensive load as Jumbo Plastic outlasted Mighty Sports, 89-87, in overtime Wednesday night to square their PCBL Chairman’s Cup best-of-three championship series.

Martinez and Viernes had 31 points each for the Linoleum Giants, who fended off Kiefer Ravena’s endgame heroics to force the deciding match, slated tonight also at Marikina Sports Center.

Jumbo Plastic has a good shot at retaining the crown as Mighty Sports will be handicapped in their make-or-break duel.

Ravena, the tournament MVP, flew to London after Game 2 while Kevin Ferrer is playing for the Gilas Pilipinas cadet squad in the SEABA Stankovic Cup in Bangkok.

Mighty Sports was about to seal the deal in regulation after Ravena drilled a triple and Gab Banal capped the team’s run with a charity, 80-78, with 14 seconds left.

But Viernes raced down court, picked up a foul from Allan Mangahas and cooly sank both free throws in the final six seconds.

Jason Ibay then conspired with Martinez and Viernes on the offensive end in the extra period to set up the rubber match.

In the other game, Euro-Med downed Sta. Lucia Realty, 79-71, to clinch third-place honors.

The scores:
First Game
EURO-MED 79—Custodio 19, Salamat 12, Tajonera 12, Poligrates 11, Almario 7, Alvarez 6, Saitanan 3, Galanza 3, Gil 2, Capacio 2, Parala 2.
STA LUCIA 71—Bangga 16, Salado 15, Bautista 11, Castanarez 8, Jamito 8, Vidal 5, Escosio 4, Javelona 4, Camasura 0, Ilagan 0.
Second Game
JUMBO PLASTIC 89—Vienes 31, Martinez 31, Ibay 7, Siruma 6, Arafat 5, Santos 4, Taganas 4, Eguilos 1, Lopez 0, Arellano 0.
MIGHTY SPORTS 87—Akhuetie 27, Ravena 18, Mangahas 12, Celada 8, M. Bringas 8, Banal 6, Montilla 4, Lopez 4, A. Bringas 0, Wongchuking 0.