Angeles City—Cebu turned to Will McAloney and Patrick Cabahug who played solid on both ends of the court, but it was unheralded Kevin Villafranca’s dagger putback that sent the Sharks to a thrilling 69-68 victory over home team Pampanga Lanterns-ADG Construction in the MPBL Datu Cup at the Angeles University Foundation Arena.
Villafranca was at the right place at the right time as his follow-up off a Victor Nuñez’s missed layup allowed the Casino Ethyl Alcohol-backed Sharks to notch their ninth win in 20 games and into a tie for seventh to eighth spots with the Laguna Heroes-Krah in the southern division of this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.
The 6-foot-4 forward Villafranca’s heroics came in the final two seconds, leaving the Lanterns one last chance of salvaging a win.
Ex-Ginebra player Jimbo Aquino had a chance to salvage a win for Pampanga, but his three-point attempt failed to hit the mark as the Lanterns absorbed their 12th loss in 19 games and dropped into a tie for ninth to 10th places with the Valenzuela Classic.
Prior to Villafranca’s cleaned up job, the AUF Arena was in a frenzy after Juneric Baloria put the Lanterns back in the lead with a triple with still 23 seconds left, allowing Pampanga to take a 68-67 lead.
The celebration stopped the moment Villafranca outrebounded Pampanga’s frontliners and scored on an unmolested follow-up for the game winner.
All game long, it was McAloney and Cabahug who were at the frontline for Cebu.
The 6-foot-4 McAloney muscled his way for 13 points and 13 rebounds while Cabahug led the way with 20 markers.
Earlier, San Juan blasted Basilan, 95-84, as Mac Cardona torched the opposition with 26 points.
It was the 16th win in 20 games for the Knights, who now moved up to solo third and break free from a tie with the Makati Super Crunch in the tough northern division.