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Proa draws first blood in finals vs FGC
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Posted on Dec 23 2011
By Walter J. Sutherland
Reporter
Reporter
Proa needed overtime to subdue stubborn FGC, 106-90, in Game 1 of Garapan Basketball League-IT&E Cup’s best-of-three finals Wednesday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.
The game was tied at 83-all entering the final minute and Proa’s Marvin Rabuliman missed a pair of free throws to keep it deadlocked.
FGC’s Banjo Basila then drove to the hoop for the go-ahead basket, but FGC turned the ball over after making a key stop, allowing Proa’s Pete Iguel to slash to the bucket and tie it back at 85-all with just six seconds left on the clock.
FGC’s Lerio Pagarao attempted a long-range shot to end it, but his buzzer-beater rimmed out.
Stymied with a 90-95 deficit with two minutes to go in overtime, FGC, which started the game hot, ended it cold and was limited to just a field goal in overtime and was blanked the last two minutes.
Proa playmaker Dan Barcinas turned in seven points in the bonus period as Proa ran away in the end.
FGC had a jackrabbit start, spotting Proa 11-0 before shooting out to a 22-13 in the first 10 minutes of action. Lerio Pagarao led the team with 11 points in the first quarter.
Proa battled back in the second period and pulled within a point, 40-41, at halftime with slow-starting Iguel delivering 16 markers during the surge.
Proa pressed on after the halftime break and jumped ahead, 68-59, heading into the last period of regulation. Barcinas and Jack Lizama teamed up for 21 points in the push.
FGC rallied in the fourth quarter and almost stole the game in the final seconds. FGC’s Kae Bernardo bulldozed his way for 12 points in the clutch that kept his team on Proa’s heels.
Proa continued to employ its clock management strategy, but FGC kept clawing back into the match but eventually faded in overtime.
Barcinas went on to lead four Proa players in double figures with 32 points, while FGC’s Pagarao scrambled for 31 in the tough loss.
Game 2 is set to tip off at 7pm tonight in Garapan.
Proa 106 – Barcinas 32, Iguel 27, Lizama 23, Rabauliman 13, Libuw 4, Mendiola 4, Sablan 3.
FGC 90 – Pagarao 31, Bernardo 28, Yabut 11, Basila 8, David 4, Bahilo 3, Babauta 2, Lerio 2, Santos 1.
Scoring by quarters: 13-22, 40-41, 68-59, 85-85, 106-90 (OT).
