Stephen Siruma vs Alvyn Cabonce and Rocky Acidre.Nuki Sabi/PBA
MANILA, Philippines—Boracay Rum turned the tide in overtime and clipped Informatics, 93-85, Thursday in the 2013 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Diminutive guard Jeff Viernes struck first in the extra five minutes and the Waves never trailed again from there after overcoming a 53-64 deficit early in the fourth quarter.
Boracay Rum went on an 8-2 run after the 83-all deadlock, courtesy of buckets from Roider Cabrera and Mac Sabellina and freethrows from Viernes and Toto Bandaying, to put the outcome beyond doubt.
“Almost three quarters masama yung laro ng mga bata, fighting heart at resolve na lang talaga namin ang nagdala,” said head coach Lawrence Chongson.
Roider Cabrera scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, conspiring with Viernes to bring the Wavs into the game after trailing most of the way.
The streak shooting Cabrera finished with 28 points on 5-of-10 shooting from downtown while Viernes added 14 points and five assists.
Bandaying added 10 points including the triple that sent the game into overtime.
It was a frustrating debut for the Icons, who beefed up significantly over the off-season by enlisting shooters like Nate Matute and Jeric Teng.
They erected a 64-53 lead with 9:12 in the fourth quarter on two freethrows by Mark Benitez, and had every answer to Boracay Rum’s mini runs.
But after Cabrera completed a four-point play and Viernes scored four straight buckets for the Waves, 73-74, the Icons faltered.
They had a chance to regain the lead in clutch but a pass from Teng bounced off Alvyn Cabonce’s fingers with 23 seconds left.
In overtime, Moncrief Rogado and Nature Matute went scoreless and Teng misfired on much-needed buckets for the Icons.
Matute finished with 25 points but only three in the last 15 minutes while Teng added 20 and 10 boards.