Lion Tiger-USJ-R survives Gaisano Tisa-UC after two extension periods

It took an extra 10 minutes but the Lion Tiger Aerosol-University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars found the intestinal fortitude to finally subdue the Gaisano Tisa-University of Cebu Webmasters, 108-106, in a wild and woolly double-overtime game at the start of the quarterfinal round of the 6th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. Partner’s Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

It pays to have veteran smarts especially in dire situations and that is what Lion Tiger had in spades as they leaned on Jayson Olbedado, James Regalado, Miguel Tabaloc and Popoy Suliman in the second overtime to preserve the win.

Undermanned, Gaisano still overachieved as they led, 54-50, at halftime and were up by one, 69-68, after the third period in spite playing with just four players in that stretch.

The Webmasters still led by five, 77-72, after a fastbreak layup by Gil Wagas with 5:48 left but Lion Tiger came roaring back and took the lead, 86-84, after a freethrow each by Olbedado and Tabaloc, with just 8.5 seconds left.

Brian Heruela sent the game to the first overtime as he made a basket off a daring drive.

Gaisano nearly pulled off the win in the first overtime as it led, 97-94, after a basket by Heruela and a freethrow by Wagas with under two minutes left in the game.

But once again, Lion Tiger pulled even after a freethrow make by Regalado and a crafty inside basket by Tabaloc with 41 ticks left.

The Webmasters had the inside track on the win as the Jaguars committed a 24-second shot clock violation with 5.3 seconds remaining. But Francis Tamsi missed a desperation three as time ran out.

Finally, the Jaguars assumed control of the lead as they led by five on two occasions during the second overtime, the last at 105-100, after a layup by Regalado at the shot-clock buzzer.

But UC did not budge and fought to within one, 106-107, off a three-point play by Heruela, where he spun to elude his defender and got the foul plus basket. Lion Tiger’s lead was pushed to two, 108-106, as Banjo Capilar split his charities with 12.2 seconds remaining.

Gaisano had a clear shot at winning as Kim Gomez was left wide open at the corner off a well-designed play. But the son of UC head coach Rhoel Gomez missed and Sulaiman grabbed the rebound and threw it to other side of the court as the final seconds ran out.

Sulaiman finished with 19 to pace the winners while Regalado added 18. Gaisano was led by the 24 of Heruela.