By Ivan Saldajeno
BIÑAN—James Mangahas buried the go-ahead basket as Biñan City turned back Zamboanga, 74-72, in the MPBL Lakan Season at the Alonte Sports Arena on Tuesday night.
Mangahas scored a long two-pointer with 2.2 seconds left as the Heroes won for the first time at their newly renovated home and kept their playoff hopes alive.
Biñan City nearly bubbled its hot start that saw the host open the game with an 8-0 run as Zamboanga inched closer and eventually tied the game, 72-all, on a Santi Santillan triple with 36.6 seconds left.
Tata Bautista failed to attempt a shot on the other end in time, leading to a shotclock violation on Biñan City and giving Zamboanga 20.5 seconds to map out a play.
Alvin Pasaol appeared to have attempted a wild layup that went astray with 12.8 seconds left, but the referees ruled that Mangahas got a touch of the ball, giving the ball back to Zamboanga.
However, Robin Roño lost the ball while going for a drive, and Allan Mangahas collected the ball and pass it to his older brother James for the game winner.
Raphy Reyes still tried to win for Zamboanga, but his halfcourt heave only hit the back rim as time expired.
James Mangahas finished with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks for Biñan City, which has now won three straight games and moved up to 8-13, 2.5 games behind Bicol for eighth place in the South Division.
Ivan Villanueva added 12 points, three rebounds, and one assist.
Santillan made 19 markers, 10 rebounds, and one assist for Zamboanga, which fell to 12-10, although the team stays in seventh place in the South.
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