Calvin Abueva’s buzzer-beating basket capped off a wild finish that gave Magnolia Pambansang Manok a 90-89 victory over NorthPort and a berth in the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday, Sept. 17 at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Inbounder Rome dela Rosa found Abueva near the basket with 2.6 seconds left before the latter made a turnaround shot over Kevin Ferrer to beat the clock as the Hotshots pulled off an escape act over a stunned Batang Pier side.
Dela Rosa got a break on that winning play after NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio opted to sit out 7-footer Greg Slaughter and brought in a smaller Sidney Onwubere, allowing the Magnolia cager to have a clearer view of the situation.
Magnolia improved to 7-3 after its second last-second victory of the conference. Ian Sangalang, who led the way with 26 points, converted a shot at the buzzer to defeat Alaska, 84-82, last July 21 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Hotshots also gained ground in the race for the other twice-to-beat advantage but still trailed percentage-wise to the second-running Meralco Bolts, who hold a 6-2 record.
“Talagang pinaghandaan namin at chinallenge namin sarili namin to get this W,” said coach Chito Victolero.
NorthPort suffered its second straight loss and fell to 4-5 after wasting a 17-point lead in the first quarter and led 89-88 when Ferrer scored off a foul shortly after teammate Sean Anthony received a technical foul after signaling for a timeout with 7.3 seconds despite having none left.
Anthony’s boo-boo awarded Magnolia a technical free throw which Paul Lee missed, giving him a chance to redeem himself since the Batang Pier kept possession under league rules.
The NorthPort veteran received the inbound from Ferrer before handing the back ball to the latter who drove all the way for the basket and a foul from Sangalang with three seconds to go. But Ferrer missed the bonus charity and the Hotshots got the possession after the ball went out of bounds in their favor.
Abueva finished with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals as Magnolia won after a slow start that prompted NorthPort to take a 26-9 lead late in the opening period.
Greg Slaughter, who missed the last two games due to a bacterial infection, finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and five blocks off the bench for NorthPort.
NorthPort suffered a defeat via a last-second basket for the third time this conference.
Arwind Santos’ jumper gave SMB an 88-86 win last July 25 before Christian Standhardinger scored a putback off his former team at the buzzer which led to an 87-85 victory for Ginebra five days later, both in Pasig City.
The scores:
MAGNOLIA 90 — Sangalang 26, Abueva 15, Lee 13, Barroca 10, Dela Rosa 10, Ahanmisi 8, Dionisio 6, Jalalon 2, Corpuz 0, Reavis 0.
NORTHPORT 89 — Slaughter 21, Anthony 16, Malonzo 14, Taha 14, Bolick 10, Onwubere 4, Lanete 4, Balanza 2, Rike 2, Ferrer 2.
Quarters: 12-26, 44-47, 68-67, 90-89.