For COVID-19 survivor Philip Manalang, redemption was at hand for his team, Basilan-Jumbo Medical after they won the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on Thursday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Bawi po ito. Siguro, ito po ang plano ni God para sa amin. Pagkatapos ng mga nangyari sa amin,” said the 5’7” Manalang moments after he shot the winning triple at the buzzer, which pushed Basilan to an 83-80 overtime triumph over the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards.
Last March, Basilan Steel defaulted Game 3 of the Division Finals with the Davao Occidental Tigers after the team had many players testing positive for COVID-19, while inside the bubble in Subic, Zambales.
The 24-year-old Manalang’s winning moment came with a second left when his triple found its mark, handing them the crown and the P2-million top purse in their winner-take-all finals affair.
“For me, this win tonight is God given. Talagang gusto naming makuha ito and after we were in a situation nine months ago,” said Basilan coach Jerson Cabiltes.
The triple was Manalang’s only basket for the evening. After receiving a pass from teammate Michael Juico, who was slowed down by cramps on both legs in the last moments of the extra period, Manalang quickly flipped the shot from near the top of the key and converted the biggest shot of his career.
Manalang’s heroics earned him the finals’ MVP honors at the end of 12 days of non-stop action for the team.
Jonathan Uyloan, Encho Serrano, Jay Collado and Juico each had 15 points for Basilan.
Serrano unloaded a triple and three charities as Basilan forced three deadlocks in the remaining 52 seconds.
It was Juico’s lone freebie in the last 18 seconds of the fourth period which forced the game into an extra period, 74-all.
The Rice Vanguards had a chance to win it in regulation, but John Bryan Villarias bungled one of his two triples in the final second.
Michael Mabulac, who was hailed as the season MVP, topscored for Nueva Ecija with 24 points, while Justin Gutang added 13.
Basilan made it to the finals after they eased out Pasig-Sta. Lucia, 77-72, in the semifinals.
The Rice Vanguards reached the finals after they turned back Iloilo, 84-67.