The Blaze Racing HTP got its first win by defeating Rev-X HD 40, 87-86. The latter team got out to a strong start and took a double digit lead, 30-18, after the first quarter. However, the former came out better in the second quarter and although they outscored the Blazers, 27-20, they were still behind by 5 points going into halftime.
The Blaze kept their momentum going in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to just 2 points as they went into the final frame. Rev-X came up with a response and led by as much as 11 points in the fourth, but went scoreless in the final minutes and saw their lead drop to only 1 point.
With only 8 seconds remaining, Nico Lopinco missed his two free throws and both teams scuffled for the critical rebound. The ball ended up in the hands of Jolly Castillo who quickly passed to Marc Jalapa in transition and the latter didn’t disappoint as he converted the lay-up, and 1, with 4 seconds left on the clock. He missed his chance at the charity stripe and as both teams battled for the rebound, the ball went out of bounds in favor of the Blazers, with 1 second at the shot clock. The game ended as time expired at the inbound play.
Matt Deles led Blaze Racing HTP with 25 points and player of the game honors, as Marc Jalapa followed up with 16 points, while Jolly Castillo and Jason Yap added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Meanwhile, Michael Deocadiz led Rev-X HD 40 with 29 points, followed by Arnol Laureno with 15 points.
In the other games, Sprint 4T HTP defeated Rev-X Turbo HTP, 92-73. Petromate Brake and Clutch Fluid thwarted Petromate Super Coolant, 137-100, and Sprint 4T Monograde lost to Hydrotur AW 68, 97-83.*
