670 Gravity defies HBR in OT for masters champs

670 Gravity didn’t let anything hold them down from winning the masters title as they bounced back to take it all after an out-of-this-world finals matchup against HBR, 88-84, in the Win Pacific Corp. Invitational Basketball League 2024 at the Gillette Multi-Purpose Gymnasium last Sunday.

HBR, after being on top of the world, blew their lead and came crashing back down to earth. Every play seemed scripted for the stars, and in the final seconds of regulation, 670 Gravity’s Alkenn Ege launched a perfectly timed shot off a well-placed assist from team captain Jun Estolas to tie the game at 73-73 to force overtime.

The fight that ensued left everyone gasping for air and was ultimately decided by crucial free throws in a down-to-the-wire finish.

HBR and 670 Gravity were still tied at 75-75 when HBR tried to turn things around and led, 79-75. But the gravitational pull of the master’s title was too strong for 670 Gravity and they eventually steered their team into the lead, 85-81, from a wide open 3-pointer by Jerome Directo.

With mere seconds left, HBR resorted to inducing fouls, which 670 Gravity converted into points. But at the 16-second mark, Gab Camacho launched a deep 3-pointer, setting it into orbit and bringing HBR within 2 points, 84-86.

However, with just 13 seconds remaining, 670 Gravity held onto their lead with airtight plays, sinking two more free throws off HBR’s desperate attempts to regain possession, and secured the championship, 88-84.

HBR had an astronomical 45-34 lead over 670 Gravity at the end of the first half, but it was evident that 670 Gravity weren’t ready to burn up in reentry. 670 Gravity tightened the tether that loosely connected them to HBR and with a flair for the dramatic, erased their lead and knotted it all up, 68-68, from Estolas’ rocket from beyond the arc with less than two minutes left.

It all blew up in HBR’s face from there as 670 Gravity space walked by their side the whole time and blazed their way like a comet to overtime.

Estolas captained his team to a game-high 34 markers, while Jerome Directo contributed 22, and Ege scored 18. Camacho put up 21, while Quiambao scored 17, and Hernandez made 13 points for HBR.

For coach Erwin Lumanlan, who coached two teams this season, he said, “The season was great but [there were] ups and downs for both teams that I was coaching, but overall it was a great season.”

He then thanked SMJ Fish Mart and 670 Gravity car group for their trust in their teams. Also, to One Pacific boss Darwin Gonzalez and Nelson Samson, as well as the committee and referees, and the team captain Jun Estolas.

Results of the semi open division finals and individual awards for both divisions will be posted in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.

670 Gravity 88 – Estolas 34, Directo 22, Ege 18, Matuguina 7, Villocero 4, Santiago 2, Tibayan 1.

HBR 84 – Camacho 21, Quiambao 17, Hernandez 13, Chua 11, Agusto 9, Lazatin 7, Agustin 5, Lazatin 1.

Scoring by halves: 34-45, 73-73, 88-84.