Pampanga five bests Bulldogs, nears FBA title

Pampanga Foton leaned on the clutch shooting of Levi Hernandez to down Manila NU-MFT, 76-69, and move on the cusp of the Filsports Basketball Association Second Conference crown at Colegio de San Sebastian Gym in San Fernando City, Pampanga, on Tuesday.

Hernandez scored 13 points, including a crucial three-point play in the stretch that quashed the Bulldogs’ rally and gave the Toplanders a 1-0 edge in their best-of-three duel.

Allan Mangahas led the Toplanders with 17 points and seven boards, enough to earn him the Korgivit E Best Player of the Game award.

Power-playing Issa Gaye shot 23 points while Kim Cinco and Rendell Senining chipped in 11 apiece for the Bulldogs.

Gaye ignited a mighty Manila NU fightback that saw the Bulldogs close the gap at 71-69 with a couple of minutes to go.