ALCANTARA — Arvie Bringas and Tabogon gave the returning veterans of ARQ Builders Lapu-Lapu a rude welcome, nipping the Heroes, 76-73, in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup, Thursday at the Civic Center in Cebu.
ARQ was welcoming back veterans Jojo Tangkay, Ferdinand Lusdoc, Franz Arong, Reed Juntilla, and Dawn Ochea from a first-round-long suspension. They had the inside track on the win as they led by six, 73-67, with a little over two minutes remaining.
However, Tabogon clawed their way back behind a stepback jumper by Gayford Rodriguez. Then Bringas made two inside baskets, the last one tying the game up 73-all with 1:35 remaining.
After ARQ could not buy a basket on their next possession, Bringas got fouled. He hit two free throws to put the Voyagers in front, 75-73, with 46 ticks left.
ARQ plenty of chances to tie the game or even take the lead, but Tangkay missed two three-point tries from the corner. Tabogon was able to corral the loose ball, leading to Peter John de Ocampo receiving an unsportsmanlike foul from ARQ guard John Abad with just two seconds remaining.
Almel Orquina made the first free throw, then intentionally missed the second as time expired. Tabogon earned the thrilling win that evened their win-loss record up at 3-3, the same record as their victims.
Voyagers head coach Expedito Delos Santos Jr. said he felt very proud that his players never gave up despite the odds.
“We never surrendered. We knot on fighting until the end,” said Delos Santos. “Sabi ko nga sa kanila na tuloy-tuloy lang tayo basta may oras pa.”
Delos Santos also banked on his team’s speed and hustle to offset the presence of ARQ’s veteran core, who he thought might be rusty after spending the last week on the sidelines.
“Kahit andyan ‘yung veterans, alam ko na medyo wala sa kundisyon ng konti ang mga ‘yun,” he shared. “They rested for a few days. Baka pa nga kumain ng marami ang mga ‘yun. So, if we have a chance to run, we had to run.”
Bringas led Tabogon with 20 points and eight rebounds. Cebuano wingman Gayford Rodriguez showed he still has plenty of gas left in the tank as he piled up 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists, a steal, and two blocks. Joemari Lacastesantos also had 16 markers and added six boards and five assists.
Meanwhile, Lusdoc scored 14 points for ARQ, which shot just 31-percent from the field against Tabogon. Ochea had 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Tangkay chipped in 11 points, five boards, and three assists.
The Heroes, though, remain without ace point guard Jerick Cañada who is still recovering from a hamstring injury.
Tabogon looks to sustain the momentum tomorrow as it faces MJAS Zenith-Talisay at 3:00PM. ARQ Lapu-Lapu, on the other hand, faces archrival KCS-Mandaue in the nightcap.
The Scores:
Tabogon (76)—Bringas 20, Rodriguez 16, Lacastesantos 16, Delos Reyes 8, Vitug 7, Bersabal 4, Diaz 2, Sombero 2, Orquina 1, De Ocampo 0, Caballero 0.
ARQ Lapu-Lapu (73)—Lusdoc 14, Ochea 12, Tangkay 11, F. Arong 9, Juntilla 8, Galvez 6, Mondragon 6, M. Arong 3, Minguito 2, Berame 2, Solis 0, Abad 0, Regero 0.
Quarterscores: 19-13, 36-39, 53-59, 76-73.
