Khobuntin’s hustle gives Columbian a chance

MANILA, Philippines—Reden Celda may have hit the go-ahead basket in Columbian Dyip’s stunner over Phoenix, but his game-winning basket wouldn’t have been possible if not for Glenn Khobuntin’s defensive gem.

With the game tied at 98, Khobuntin went for the chasedown block and emphatically denied Fuel Masters guard RJ Jazul’s layup that would’ve put Phoenix ahead with under 20 ticks to go.

The rejection then led to Celda’s floater with 9.3 seconds remaining.

“We need to win so I just thought to myself that it’s either going to be a foul or block. Fortunately for me, it was a block,” said Khobuntin.

“I just timed it. The play was CJ iso at the top of the key after a hand off but it resulted into a turnover. After the turnover, I immediately ran back on defense to get the block. The good thing about that was Rashawn (McCarthy) was already there so I guess he (Jazul) needed to slow down that’s why I was able to catch him.”

Khobuntin’s defensive heroics also kept Columbian in the hunt for a spot in the quarterfinals.

The Dyip, who improved to 3-7, moved one and a half games behind Rain or Shine for the last playoff spot.

Columbian, however, faces a tall order in heavyweight Barangay Ginebra in its last game in the elimination round in a duel it cannot afford to lose.

“Hopefully, we can make the playoffs but we have a big game coming up against Ginebra.”