PBA-DL: Last-second basket helps Hog's Breath beat Cagayan Valley, finish campaign on a high

Billy Ray Robles scored 14 points including a follow-up with 0.8 seconds left to lift the Hog’s Breath Café Razorbacks to a 91-89 overtime victory over the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns on Monday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Meralco Gym.

Robles grabbed a missed long shot by Paul Sanga to score the winning basket, ending the Razorbacks’ campaign with a 3-6 win-loss slate.

That game-winner preserved his efforts in the fourth, after scoring five in Hog’s Breath’s eight-point swing to melt a 75-66 deficit.

Alexander Austria had 13 points, including the basket with 0.7 seconds left in regulation that sent the game into overtime, scoring off an offensive rebound after intentionally missing the second free throw.

The Razorbacks, who are already out of the running for the quarterfinal round, failed to repeat their semifinal finish last conference but nevertheless finished their campaign on a high note.

“It’s better to go out with a win para mas maganda ang finish. The players delivered,” said Hog’s Breath coach Mike Buendia, whose team avoided back-to-back defeats.

Dave Najorda finished with 17 points for Hog’s Breath.

Cagayan Valley dropped to 3-6 and out of contention for a quarterfinal berth.

Ed Daquioag scored 21 points for the Rising Suns but failed to finish the game due to a sprained ankle he sustained in the third period. - Reuben Terrado, SPIN


The scores:

Hog’s Breath Café 91 – Najorda 17, Robles 14, Austria 13, Belencion 9, Sanga 9, Ruaya 6, Racal 6, Gabawan 6, Rios 4, Terso 3, Gonzales 2, Publico 2, Avillanoza 0

Cagayan Valley 89 – Daquioag 21, Vidal 16, Melano 12, Galliguez 11, Ighalo 11, Webb 7, Revilla 6, Collado 3, Gomez 2, Olivares 0, Suguitan 0, Casajeros 0

Quarter scoring: 18-16, 39-38, 58-60, 81-81, 91-89