Mallari dominates as Mahindra scores Christmas Day breakthrough

BOCAUE – Mahindra will finally have a merry Christmas.

The Floodbuster came back from the dead and pulled a 97-93 overtime shocker over Blackwater Sunday in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup to at Philippine Arena here.

A determined Alex Mallari anchored Mahindra and fired 13 of his career-high tying 23 points in the fourth and overtime periods, to help his side nab its first win in six tries and end the year on a winning note. He also had 11 rebounds and three steals in the victory.

“I give so much credit to my players’ heart and I looked at these guys’ eyes and told them to keep believing, and we were able to find that right combination to finish that game,” said coach Chris Gavina, who heaved a huge sigh as he entered the press room.

The Floodbuster waged a comeback after trailing by as much as 15, 79-64, with 7:50 to play in the fourth, unleashing a scathing 19-4 run and could have even escaped with the victory in regulation had Nico Elorde and Nico Salva sank their shots before the buzzer.

But it was another story in overtime, as Ryan Arana drilled a three to set the tone for the next five minutes while Mallari helped erect a five-point lead for Mahindra, 90-85 with 43 ticks left.

Arana padded the lead to seven, 92-85, but Nard Pinto and Roi Sumang kept the Elite within striking distance and trimmed the lead to just two, 95-93, with 1.1 seconds left.

It was too little too late, though, as Arana secured the win with two freebies for the Floodbuster.

Arana added 19 markers and six boards, while Salva had 14 points and four rebounds in the victory.

Mahindra also continued its mastery of Blackwater inside the world’s largest indoor arena, mirroring its 80-66 conquest in the curtain-raiser of the 2014-15 season, which was also both franchise’s debut in the pro league.

“I wish we could play here every week,” said Gavina.

Art dela Cruz topped the Elite in the losing effort with 18 points, six rebounds, and four steals, as his side fell to 4-3.

Pinto chipped in 15 markers, seven assists, and five boards, while Mac Belo had 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Scores:

MAHINDRA 97 – Mallari 23, Arana 19, Salva 14, Eriobu 9, Revilla 9, Yee 8, Elorde 6, Nimes 4, DiGregorio 3, Escoto 2, Ballesteros 0, Celda 0, Deutchman 0, Paniamogan 0, Webb 0.
BLACKWATER 93 – Dela Cruz 18, Pinto 15, Belo 14, Sumang 12, Sena 10, Pascual 9, Buenafe 6, Aguilar 3, Banal 2, Cervantes 2, Gamalinda 2, Ababou 0, Forrester 0, Miranda 0.

Quarters: 18-18, 41-41, 59-66, 83-83, 97-93.