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| John Angelilio/UPI |
MANILA—Two years ago, Paul Lee made three free throws after the final buzzer as Gilas stunned China in the FIBA Asia Cup.
On Sunday night, a Chinese club pulled off a reverse déjà vu against a Filipino side.
Jimmer Fredette provided the heartbreaker for Mighty Sports as he made three free throws with the game clock reading all zeroes as Shanghai took the Merlion Cup title with a 78-77 win in the championship game at the OCBC Arena in Singapore on Sunday night.
The former US NCAA star and Sacramento Kings first round pick drained the game-winning freebies with no time left as the CBA powerhouse deprived its PCBL counterpart a second straight international championship.
Mighty actually bounced back from a slow start to lead, 69-55, with about seven minutes left.
Fredette, who actually waxed hot at the start, carried the fight for the Sharks as he led their 18-4 run to tie, 73-all.
Kiefer Ravena, who Coach Charles Tiu tasked to guard Fredette, came close to saving Mighty as he completed a four-point play to put his team up, 77-73.
But crucial errors down the stretch spelled doom for Mighty as Shanghai scored the game's last five points including Fredette's charities.
Mighty actually put up a good defensive stand in the final play, almost forcing a Shanghai turnover and forcing Fredette to a tough trey attempt.
But Ravena bumped Fredette's back while sneaking for a block, leading to the latter's heroics.
Fredette finished with 41 points for the Sharks, who got a huge boost entering their CBA campaign.
His fellow ex-NBA first round choice, Am Thornton, tallied 35 markers for Mighty.
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