FOR the second time in three play dates, a visiting team was able to pull the rug from under the host squad in the MPBL Anta-Rajah Cup.
Valenzuela Classic-Yulz survived a big scare and got the much-needed break in the endgame before eking out a tense 79-78 win over the Caloocan Supremos-Lonrich late Thursday night at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
Paolo Hubalde split his charities off an ill-advised foul from Dawn Ochea, allowing the Classic to escape with the victory and make it to the win column after dropping its first match against the Batangas City Athletics-Tanduay.
Earlier, the Muntinlupa Cagers-Angeli’s Resort outlasted the Paranaque Patriots Yakimix, 67-60.
Allan Mangahas led the way for the Cagers, finishing with 15 points and three steals in a brilliant all-around play that put Muntinlupa in the win column after dropping a heartbreaking loss to the Navotas Clutch.
Fans inside the sports complex erupted when Mar Villahermosa drove the lane and knotted the count at 78-all with 12 seconds remaining in the game, but the celebration proved to be short lived as Ochea committed a foul on Hubalde in the backcourt to the dismay of the hometown cheering crowd.
That sent Hubalde to the charity stripe for a pair of free throws. The PBA veteran missed his first gift shot, but made the second.
With no timeouts left and only five seconds to work out a play, the Supremos rushed to the other end and Villahermosa was forced to take a desperation heave from way out which hit the rim as time expired.
“The fans here were great. The atmosphere was amazing. I don’t feel this unless we play Ginebra,” said Valenzuela coach Chris Gavina. “This is amazing. God bless, MPBL.”
