TanHoldings wins 3 in a row, hands Elite Force 1st loss

TanHoldings blew their lead in the last minutes of the game, but bounced back in a thriller OT showdown against Elite Force in the Legends Sports Association Invitational Basketball League Season 2 last Tuesday at the Gillette Multi-Purpose Gymnasium in Gualo Rai.

With the win, TanHoldings has won three straight, while they handed Elite Force their first loss in an action-packed 93-90 game.

TanHoldings had a comfortable 10-point lead with four minutes left in the last half, but they got too comfortable as Elite Force—Bracket B’s No. 1 seeded team—had more fight and punch left in their game.

From 10 points, TanHoldings quickly saw their lead whittle down after Elite Force’s Dan Fernando became the ball magnet they needed. He threw up back-to-back baskets, first a 3-pointer, then a fast-break play, followed by another three to tie the game up as TanHoldings was left stunned and rooted in disbelief.

The only plays TanHoldings could do was not to let Elite Force score with just mere seconds on the clock. Elite Force had the possession with 12 seconds left, but TanHoldings’ man-to-man defense plus Elite Force’s pressure to get their shots in, failed to clinch them the win.

TanHoldings had a sliver of opportunity with 1.6 seconds left, but a hail-mary by Raymond Olopai grabbed nothing but air and forced the five minutes of extra time.

It was all or nothing for both teams, and with Elite Forces’ undefeated record on the line, they needed the win. A few missed opportunities by both teams in the final two minutes made the game still deadlocked, 88-88.

Grit and determination showed who wanted the W the most and it was TanHoldings who learned from their mistakes from the last half and ensured they secured the win, no matter how close a margin.

Elite Force’s Mark Aycardo broke the ice with a free throw to make it 89-88 after minutes of back-and-forth action. But it was TanHoldings’ possession with a little over a minute left. TanHoldings’ Dindo Pablo’s attempt from downtown missed and was swiftly rebounded by Olopai, who assisted Ben William for a 3-pointer that switched the favor over to their side, 91-89.

Then, a bad pass by Elite Force with 43 seconds left became their downfall. They resorted to fouling TanHoldings that resulted into 2 more points, and it was too little too late for Elite Force to make a comeback with 0.9 left on the clock.

TanHoldings’ Ray Olopai put up the highest numbers with 27 points, followed by Christian Bravo’s 23 markers with Icesac Perez and Ben William chipping in 15 points each. Elite Force’s Fernando collected the most for his team with 25, while Andrew Sy and Manuel Gatbonton scored 18 points apiece.

Afterwards, Bourbon Bar & Cafe slipped past Unity Trade, 79-72.

In the standings after Tan Holdings’ 3-1 record and Elite Force’s 2-1 record are Kagbros at 2-1; Stag and Long Shot with 1-1; Tax Pro/Triple L and La Mesa Kusina with 1-2 records each; and Napa Auto Parts at 0-2. In Bracket A, Choju leads with an undefeated three wins, Best Deal at two wins and no loss; Savemore and Bourbon Cafe & Bar with 2-1; Unity Trade at 2-2; Premier Builders at 1-2; Live 2 Live at 0-2; and Yuman with 0-3.

TanHoldings 93 – Olopai 27, Bravo 23, Perez 15, William 15, Suba 6, Pablo 4, Jinang 3.

Elite Force 90 – Fernando 24, Sy 18, Gatbonton 18, Reyes 12, Aycardo 9, Ceniza 9.

Scoring by halves: 47-41, 83-83, 93-90, OT.