SIP nips Visminda in overtime

“Never say die.”

These were the words of SIP-Verizon veteran playmaker Rick Alegre after his team stunned a jam-packed Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium crowd last Sunday by overcoming a 6-point deficit with a little over a minute remaining in regulation then beat defending champion Visminda-Country House in overtime 106-99 to set up a do-or-die battle for the coveted championship of the 2004 UFO-San Miguel Cup.

“I told my boys that as long as we do not hear the sound of the final buzzer, then we still have a chance,” Alegre said shortly after the hard-earned win. “They have the height advantage and we’re a very young team, but we stayed focus, played as a team, and we had good cooperation and trust.”

Visminda entered the match with a twice-to-beat advantage and only had to win Game 1 after sweeping the first nine games of the eliminations and playoffs.

After letting a sizable lead slip out of their hands, the SIP cagers found themselves on the brink of losing their title hopes as Visminda fought back and led 91-85 with 1:04 left in the fourth quarter.

A free throw by Leo Factor and a layup off a steal by James Villacrusis in the next 20 seconds, however, kept SIP alive as they inched their way closer, 88-91, with 43.6 ticks left.

Villacrusis would come up big again, stripping the ball from Visminda forward Dado Vistal, setting up a desperation 3-point shot by Jason Amado with 7.9 seconds remaining.

Amado missed the shot but to the relief of SIP fans was fouled on the play by Visminda’s Jawn Joyner.

Amado would hit only the first of three attempts to cut the lead to 2 points, and although they got the rebound, Visminda lost possession and SIP forward Pete Mendiola headed to the line for a couple of more charity shots.

He missed both, Visminda grabbed the rebound but lost possession again, resulting in Amado driving the lane and drawing a foul with 1.6 seconds remaining. He sank both shots, evening the score and forcing overtime.

Visminda grabbed the early advantage in the extra period courtesy of 5 unanswered points from Bing Marasigan, but costly turnovers by Visminda, a long range jumper by Jester Garcia, a couple of free throws by Gilbert Espinosa, and a hard drive to the hoop by Amado gave SIP a 2-point lead, 98-96, which they never relinquished the rest of the way.

“I wanted to redeem myself,” Amado said. “I missed two free throws, and I know I can do it, so I kept pushing.”

The early part of the game saw SIP get off to a great start, lighting up the scoreboard for a 29-11 lead after the first period.

The lead would balloon in the second as SIP continued to dominate, but after a little pep talk from coach Boy Garcia at halftime, Visminda came charging back and went on a 25-11 run behind do-it-all swingman Banjo Basila’s 14 points to close the third quarter down by just 3 points, 66-69.

Visminda would finally taste the lead on a layup by Emil De Belen, and remained ahead until the final seconds of regulation.

Amado, Villacrusis, and Garcia topped SIP with 20 points apiece, with Villacrusis grabbing 9 boards and Amado posting 4 swipes.

Basila led Visminda with 32 points and 10 rebounds, while Marasigan and Joyner pumped in 20 and 12 points, respectively. Vistal also had a solid outing, finishing with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

SIP-Verizon 106—Amado 20, Villacrusis 20, Garcia 20, Mendoza 14, Factor 12, Arconado 11, Alegre 7, Espinosa 2.

Vismonda-Country House 99—Basila 32, Marasigan 20, Joyner 12, Vistal 11, Cosino 9, De Belen 6, Domingo 5, Bicera 2, Artates 2.

Scoring by quarters: 29-11, 51-32, 66-69, 91-91, 106-99 (OT).

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Gabriel White.