Cabalen ousts FASA in overtime

Cabalen-RP Construction saw its 12-point fourth-quarter lead evaporate in the face of a searing rally by FASA-PABA CNC Inc. but pulled it all together in overtime to win, 125-120, in the 2004 UFO-San Miguel Cup last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Ryan Mendoza hit crucial free throws in the final seconds of regulation and overtime to lead Cabalen to the pulsating win.

After Andres “Jhun” Estolas, Jr. put FASA on top by a deuce, 111-109, with 38.9 left in regulation, Mendoza rebounded a 3-point miss by an on-and-off Paul Magcalas and was fouled attempting a stick back.

Mendoza coolly made both charities to knot the game at 111-all and Estolas was about 10 inches off a running 25-foot Hail Mary shot at the buzzer.

In the extra period, bull-strong Cabalen forward Ronald Delos Reyes drew first blood with a strong move inside. But FASA answered with a 4-0 run to grab the lead, 115-113, time down to 3:52.

The lead would seesaw back and forth between Cabalen and FASA in the next couple of minutes.

After Estolas’ fastbreak bucket gave FASA a 117-116 lead at the 2:03 mark of overtime, Cabalen went on a 3-0 run of its own capped by a pretty spin move by Delos Reyes to the delight of head coach Elmer Pineda.

FASA tied the count at 119-all following two free throws by former IVYBL MVP Kevin Cequena with 1:04 left in the game. But that proved to be the last hurrah for coach Marvin Deocares and his team, as Cabalen went on a 6-1 spurt to put the game out of reach.

Magcalas atoned for wide-open misses from 3-point country by going perfect from the line giving Cabalen a 121-119 advantage. Coming out of a time out, FASA drew up a play that backfired when Cequena missed badly from 3-point country, which led to an easy layup by Mendoza on the other end.

Estolas also didn’t help FASA’s cause either, making just one out of two gift shots with 10.7 remaining in the game. Down by 3 points, 123-120, FASA challenged Mendoza anew from the 15-foot line but the youthful center again delivered, writing the final epitaph on FASA’s finals hopes with another two-for-two performance from the stripe.

“I didn’t expect to win this way. I thought we were really finished when FASA made that comeback and we lost that 12-point lead. Good thing Ryan [Mendoza] and the rest of the boys stepped up. Coming from last week’s loss to SIP, this was really a game we had to win,” said Pineda after the game.

Pineda had all the right to feel that way after Cabalen squandered a 91-79 lead, as FASA, led by Estolas and sweet shooting forward Errol Peredo, closed in and outscored Cabalen 32-20 in the final 7:45 of regulation to force extension.

Mendoza earned MVP of the game honors after leading Cabalen with 31 points on top of 11 rebounds. Delos Reyes also played superbly wounding up with 29 points and 12 boards. Second-string point guard Jhun Sinca, who played tough defense on Estolas the entire game, also chipped in 10 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals in the win.

Estolas fired a game-high 40 markers in the loss. He also had 10 boards, 8 assists, and 5 steals. Peredo also shone in the game, tossing in 32 points and hauling down 4 rebounds.

Cabalen 125 – Mendoza 31, Delos Reyes 29, Arnedo 17, Alipio 12, Sinca 10, Ocampo 9, Magcalas 8, Canlas 6, Jo. Gatdula 2, Pantola 2.

FASA-PABA 120 – Estolas 40, Peredo 32, De Guzman 13, Guiab 10, Cequena 10, Montano 4, Villarin 4, Abuy 3, Velasco 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-25, 45-50, 82-78, 111-111, 125-120 (OT).

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Jess Fabula.