BATANGAS — Four days ago, PHIVOLCS downgraded the alert level of the Taal Volcano to Level 3. With the development, some Batangueños have already decided to return to their respective homes and resume their everyday life.
And the Batangas-Tanduay Athletics, who have been fighting non-stop for better positioning in the Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Season playoffs, made sure to give their folks the perfect homecoming.
In their first home game since the Taal crisis, the Athletics pulled out all the stops to eke out a thrilling 70-66 victory over the visiting Marikina Shoemasters in front of a raucous home crowd at the Batangas State University here, Wednesday.
Jeff Viernes took over in the clutch, drilling a crucial three-pointer to give the home team a 67-64 advantage. Then when Yves Sazon and the Shoemasters came knocking to within one, the shifty guard went for a split on the line to give Batangas a two-point cushion, 68-66, with 6.2 seconds left.
On the defensive end, Jason Melano denied Sazon’s three-point attempt, before Viernes iced the game at the end of regulation with two free throws.
“Every win is sweet. We need it. This is sweeter for the Batangas people, it’s really for them. I’m very happy na masaya sila ngayon… Something na at least positive, ‘di ba, after what happened,” said Athletics head coach Woody Co, who vowed to dedicate their remaining games to the people of Batangas and the late Bong Tan.
Jhaymo Eguilos, who has been with Batangas since the inaugural season, simply feels happy to give their home crowd something to celebrate during these testing times. They deserved this victory.
“Ako masayang masaya ako kasi kahit papaano, ‘yung lungkot nila at ‘yung trauma nila, kahit papaano nabawasan. Nabigyan namin sila ng kasiyahan,” said Eguilos, who posted 13 points and seven rebounds.
“Lahat kami humuhugot ng lakas sa mga taga-Batangas, buong Batangas province, para sa kanila ‘yung game namin.”
In other games, Yankie Haruna’s late baskets propelled Bacolod-Master’s Sardines to an 83-78 win over Valenzuela-Carga Backload Solutions; meanwhile, Davao Occidental-Cocolife handed Muntinlupa-Angelis Resort a rude exit, 106-90.
Story by Jonash Dannug
Photo by Nicks Hernandez
