Auto Motion nips LBT in OT

Auto Motion snapped LBT Appraisal’s winning streak after eking out a 107-105 overtime win in their Masters division game last Wednesday in the 2015 United Filipino Organization Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Auto Motion’s Andy Viola, left, and Resty Joson stay close on defense against LBT Appraisal’s Bobby Vargas during the overtime period in their Masters game in the UFO caging last Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Auto Motion knocked in crucial free throws in the closing minute of the extra period and made some defensive stops to bag its second straight victory in three matches. LBT absorbed its first loss in four games.

LBT had the lead for the last time at 104-103 before Auto Motion grabbed the upper hand off Fradel Sedillo’s two free throws 105-104, 37.7 seconds left in overtime. Sedillo trooped to the foul line and made both free charities after he pressured George De Guzman at the backcourt, stole the possession, and drew a foul on the LBT center.

Auto Motion continued playing tough defense off another LBT inbound play, resulting to a bad pass from Bobby Vargas to Rodney Catalla. Vargas was worried of getting caught with an 8-second violation at the backcourt and pitched the leather to Catalla, who had his back turned to the ball and was hounded by Joseph Galulu. Mico Usi also stepped in the play and picked up the loose ball, forcing Catalla to give up a preemptive foul with only 26.7 seconds remaining in the match. Usi split his charity to make it a 2-point game, 106-104.

LBT tried to retaliate quickly by not calling a timeout and with Edgar Pangelinan driving to the center before stopping and pulling up for a runner. He missed, but LBT got a lucky break as Marlon Sison failed to hang on to the ball in the paint off the rebound play.

LBT regained possession with 9.2 seconds and after it called a timeout, Alex Ocampo went on a foul-baiting move and Usi bit on the bait. Ocampo hit the first charity, but muffed the equalizer, while Resty Joson collared the crucial rebound, boxing out well against Jun Alipio.

Joson also had a split, drilling his second free throw that gave back the 2-point cushion to Auto Motion with 3.7 seconds left in the extended match. The score remained unchanged, as Pangelinan’s inbound pass to Vargas was partially deflected by Ed Yalung. Vargas recovered the loose ball, but was still at the backcourt when the final buzzer sounded.

Sedillo top-scored for Auto Motion with his 22 points, while Galulu also finished in twin digits with his 17, including the game-tying free throw in regulation. Four other Auto Motion players broke into double figures with Usi adding 14, Yalung and Marlon Sison chipping in 13 apiece, and Robert Guiang posting 10.

Alipio had 21 points for LBT, which played in overtime with a depleted crew, as it had four players fouling out, while gunner Jun Tabora showed up only in the first canto before leaving to play in another league.

Meanwhile, the U20 division match last Wednesday also went the distance with Blue Haus needing two overtimes to pull off a 100-97 victory over the Ol’Aces.

Blue Haus finished the round-robin division with an even 2-2 record, while the Ol’Aces fell to a 1-2 slate. The Ol’Aces will have their last game this Saturday against the second-running Armatech (2-1).

Auto Motion 107 – Sedillo 22, Galulu 17, Usi 14, Yalung 13, Sison 13, Guiang 10, Joson 6, Viola 4, Montes 4, Balgos 2, Mateo 2.

LBT Appraisal 105 ­– Alipio 21, Ocampo 17, De Guzman 17, Mungcal 15, Pangelinan 10, Vargas 10, Catalla 5, Sampang 5, Cosino 3, Tabora 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-23, 40-47, 64-70, 90-90, 107-105.