PBA Selection comes back to beat Shanghai Sharks

Photo by NUKI SABIO/PBA

MANILA, Philippines — The PBA All-Star Selection rallied past the Shanghai Sharks, 80-71, Tuesday night in the Philippines-China Friendship Games at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Paul Lee sparked the PBA’s charge with his solid effort on both ends of the floor. Lee, who finished with nine points and three assists, hit a deep three before a key steal that led to a breakaway layup by Arwind Santos that gave the lead back to the hometown team, 71-69, with three minutes left.

Niño Canaleta nailed a triple from the right wing in the Filipinos’ next possession for a 74-71 edge with 1:37 left.

Beau Belga topscored for the PBA with 16 points to go along with nine rebounds, including a putback off a missed layup by Mike Cortez that extended the lead to five, 76-71.

The PBA Selection needed only over a minute left to erase a six-point deficit in the final frame.

Seven-foot-three center Zhang Zhaoxu had 23 points and 14 rebounds for the Sharks, who also lost to Gilas Pilipinas, 72-80, Monday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.