The Arellano University Braves leaned on Rey Domingo’s charity shot and their defense in the closing minute to escape with an 80-79 overtime triumph over the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers.
Domingo’s split freebie found its mark in the last 25.4 seconds, and it proved to be the key to the Braves’ second triumph in three games.
This put the Braves in a share of third place with the San Beda Red Cubs in the 93rdNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) junior basketball tournament.
The Light Bombers, with Kobe Caballero firing 25 points, kept on coming back and forced the game’s third and last deadlock at 79-all, off Hilario Sabado’s two charities with 44.9 ticks left.
After that Domingo, who came from team B, scored a charity off big man Carlos Sumabat’s fifth foul.
Defense underneath allowed the Braves to hold off the Light Bombers’ bid to make a final shot in the remaining 2.3 seconds.
“Ang nagpanalo sa amin ay ang faith namin sa Panginoon,” said Braves coach Tylon Darjuan.
Aaron Fermin powered the Braves with 17 points and 24 rebounds, while Fred Segura, who was bothered by a groin injury, also made 17.
Marlon Espiritu sank five of his 11 points in the fourth period, including a game-tying three-point play with 38.4 seconds remaining, 73-all.
The game went into overtime when he and Fermin missed their attempts at the buzzer in regulation.
