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Manalang hits ‘Hail Mary’ to lift Basilan to MPBL Invitational Championship

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(Caption: Manalang celebrates as he lays down on the floor after the winning shot. Chooks Photo)

PHILIP Manalang hit a Hail Mary shot at the buzzer to lift Basilan-Jumbo Plastic Medical Depot past Nueva Ecija, 83-80, in overtime and crowned Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Invitational powered by TM champion on Thursday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The product of University of the East, who was 0-of-8 prior to heroism, received the inbound with 1.9 seconds left and drained the biggest basket in his career as Basilan claimed the first-ever professional title of the MPBL.

Manalang, who was named the Finals MVP, also had six assists and two rebounds in 35 minutes and 59 seconds of action.

“For me, the win tonight is God-given,” said Basilan head coach Jerson Cabiltes, who also won the Ato Badolato Coach of the Tournament award.

“So talagang gusto naming makuha ‘to dahil yun nga, nine months ago we were in this situation and hindi kami napagbigyan and then ito pala yung balik na biyaya samin ng Panginoon,” he added.

Byron Villarias hit a huge triple in regulation to put the Rice Vanguards ahead, 74-73, with 26 seconds left. Michael Juico then earned a split on the line to send the game to an extension.

Encho Serrano finished with 15 points and nine rebounds while Juico and Jonathan Uyloan both had 15 markers as well.

Basilan-Jumbo Plastics celebrates with fans during the awarding ceremony in the MPBL Championship.

Jay Collado scattered 15 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two blocks while JR Taganas was a force inside the paint with 17 big rebounds to go along with nine points. 

On the other hand, tournament MVP Michael Mabulac collected 24 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort for the Rice Vanguards.

Justin Gutang added 13 points, seven boards, and three assists. Renz Palma had 11 points and seven rebounds while Villarias ended with 10 points and four boards.

Nueva Ecija lost a crucial piece in Chris Bitoon, who got injured during the 3:43 in the third quarter.

Basilan topped Pool B with a perfect 4-0 record. Then, the team took out Mindoro-EOG Burlington in the quarterfinals before escaping Pasig in the semis.

The team bagged a total of P2,000,000 from Chooks-to-Go. Jumbo Plastic added P1,000,000 while Medical Depot chipped in P100,000 to the pot.

The Scores:

Basilan-Jumbo Medical 83 – Collado 15, Serrano 15, Uyloan 15, Juico 15, Taganas 9, Reyes 6, Bringas 4, Manalang 3, Siruma 1, Gimpayan 0, Gabo 0.

Nueva Ecija 80 – Mabulac 24, Gutang 13, Palma 11, Villarias 10, Balucanag 5, Sarao 4, Gozum 4, Bitoon 3, Dario 3, Sumang 3.

Quarterscores: 17-20, 35-36, 53-52, 74-74, 83-80.

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