Calvin Oftana finally saw his endgame heroics result in a victory as NLEX stunned Meralco, 81-80, in the 2021 Honda PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals, Wednesday at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
The rookie forward sank the go-ahead lay-up off Jericho Cruz’s inbound throw-in with 6.2 seconds left to play, and the Bolts struggled to counter as the Road Warriors pushed their quarterfinal series to a rubber match on Friday.
Oftana — who erupted for 34 in their elimination round meeting with their playoff foes — finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
“That was intended for him. It went exactly as we planned it,” said head coach Yeng Guiao of the final play. “But of course, sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t happen for you. But we’re really lucky that it happened for us this time.”
Tony Semerad led the Road Warriors with 23 points on five treys as he had his highest output since a career-high 24 in 2016, when he helped former team GlobalPort beat, coincidentally, the Bolts in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Don Trollano supplied 12 points and eight rebounds, as Jericho Cruz added 10 markers, four boards, and four dimes in the win.
NLEX actually trailed by three early in the final frame, but back-to-back threes by Michael Miranda and Oftana gave it a 71-68 lead with 7:36 to go.
Cruz then pushed their lead to five approaching the last four minutes, but the trio of Mac Belo, Chris Newsome, and Reynel Hugnatan joined hands to put Meralco ahead, 80-79, with 55.8 seconds to spare.
The Bolts had a chance to gain more breathing room, only for Belo to waste that opportunity as he missed both of his free throws with eight seconds remaining. JR Quinahan got the board, and immediately sued for time.
That’s when Oftana showed up with his game-winning bucket. Their foes had no more timeout left but managed to get the ball across, but failed to set up a play for a proper shot. Cliff Hodge tried from deep but got blocked by Quinahan.
“Gusto lang namin, makadikit kami. Bandang huli kung suswertihin, makakuha ng breaks, tulad ng nangyari ngayon, baka makalusot,” Guiao said. “May Friday game pa kami. We haven’t achieved anything yet.”
Allein Maliksi led Meralco with 16 points in the defeat that puts the no. 2 seed in a precarious situation. Belo contributed 12 points, as Hugnatan and Bong Quinto added 11 markers apiece.
The Bolts did not have Trevis Jackson and Jammer Jamito as the two were placed under the league’s health and safety protocols.
The Scores:
NLEX 81 – Semerad 23, Trollano 12, Oftana 12, Cruz 10, Alas 9, Miranda 5, Soyud 4, Quiñahan 4, Paniamogan 2, Ighalo 0.
Meralco 80 – Maliksi 16, Belo 12, Quinto 11, Hugnatan 11, Caram 9, Newsome 7, Almazan 6, Hodge 6, Pasaol 2, Pinto 0, Baclao 0.
Quarterscores: 20-26, 44-42, 63-64, 81-80.
