Cobra nips Ani-FCA, stays in the hunt for semis berth

Pari Llagas blocked Christian Luanzon’s potential game-winning layup as Cobra Energy squeezed-out an 87-85 overtime win against Ani-FCA in the 2010 PBL PG Flex Erase Placenta Cup on Saturday night at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym in Manila. The win was the fourth in six games for the Ironmen to remain in the hunt for one of the top two semifinals seats that enjoy a twice-to-beat incentive.

The Ironmen got the win despite squandering a double-digit lead in regulation as Jai Reyes, Paul Lee and PJ Barua buried timely baskets in overtime. The Lawrence Chongson-coached squad can secure one of the top two semis spots if they beat Fern-C in their final match of the single-round robin tournament. “We’re in a must-win from today’s game because a loss would have booted us out since we bowed to Ascof in our last outing," said Chongson. Cobra led by 14 points in the first half and still held on to a 57-50 spread after three quarters but was outscored, 23-11, by Ani-FCA as the Cultivators enjoyed a 73-68 advantage with two minutes and 30 seconds left in the game. But Ani-FCA could not protect that lead as Paul Lee delivered five points, including a completed three-point play with 35.8 ticks to put Cobra ahead, 75-73. Luanzon missed a hurried shot but Marc Cagoco grabbed the offensive rebound and scored on another putback to send the game into overtime. In the extension period, a Gary Sevilla jumper gave Ani-FCA its last taste of the lead at 82-81. Lee then scored on a pull-up jumper while Reyes nailed his third three-pointer to give Cobra an 86-82 lead entering the final two minutes of overtime. Pascual, who grabbed the rebound off a Luanzon missed jumper, completed a three-point play in the other end for an 86-85 count. Luanzon then forced Lee to turnover the ball in the ensuing play giving the Cultivators the chance to win the game with 39 ticks left. But Llagas foiled Luanzon’s attempt and Barua grabbed the rebound and was later fouled by Cagoco sending him to the line with 3.6 seconds left. Barua made his first attempt and deliberately missed his second but Luanzon got the rebound and launched a desperation three that hit just the front end of the rim as the buzzer sounded. Lee scored 22 points most of it coming in the fourth and extension periods while Luanzon led all scorers with 28 markers. – GMANews.TV