Working overtime

Playing like their campaigns were on the line, Arellano and Perpetual Help hacked out thrilling overtime victories over higher-ranked foes last Thursday to muddle up the Final Four race of NCAA Season 93 at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Getting a timely explosion from Gab Dagangon, the Altas turned back the Letran Knights, 88-82, in overtime to move within a game off the Top Four.

Not to be outdone, the Chiefs also played with a sense of urgency to overcome the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers, 115-109, in double overtime.

Zach Nicholls nailed a desperation trey to send the game into a second overtime before Allen Enriquez, Kraniel Victoria and Archie Concepcion finished off the fading Bombers, who remained in third spot despite falling to 6-4.

“I guess it was the stops that made it,” said coach Jerry Codiñera. “Other than that prayer shot of Zach, we were really down. But we were able to regroup and we got energy from our bench.”

Nicholls finished with only five points but his triple could just be the shot that might save the Chiefs’ season after they improved their record to 4-6 in a tie for seventh spot with the Altas.

“It’s a special skill, making that shot,” Codiñera said of Nicholls.

Kent Salado also made an impact with 17 points, seven assists and three rebounds for Arellano, which put to waste JRU gunner Tey Teodoro’s 30-point explosion.

The Altas looked like a rejuvenated crew as they rolled past the Knights in the extra period. Quiet for majority of the first round, Dagangon came alive with 21 points to match teammate Prince Eze’s output. Eze, the MVP race leader, also grabbed 19 rebounds.

Perpetual also got solid games from GJ Ylagan, AJ Coronel and Kieth Pido, who combined for 37 points. But it was Dagangon who made the biggest shots, hitting two straight baskets for an 82-77 advantage.
Coronel and Eze sealed the win with free throws after the Knights came within 82-85 with 25 seconds left.

“The team just showed a lot of heart,” said Perpetual coach Jimwell Gican. “We knew we still have a chance of making the Final Four.”