MANILA—Jason Ballesteros appeared to have saved the day for Pasig in regulation only to give up the team's most crucial turnover in overtime as Muntinlupa left the Ynares Sports Arena with an 87-84 road win on Monday night in their MPBL encounter.
Ballesteros made two free throws with 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter that tied the game at 80-all, while Pasig's defense forced John Abis to a tough buzzer-beating floater that he missed.
However, Muntinlupa reasserted control of the game in the extra five minutes only for JL Delos Santos to miss a free throw that kept Pasig in the game.
But off a timeout, Ballesteros dished an errant pass that no one was able to pick up, and Muntinlupa eventually escaped with the inter-conference win.
Abis led Muntinlupa, which moved up to 11-7, with 20 points on 10-of-16 shooting, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Chad Alonzo, Ford Ruaya, and John Amores each added 12 points with the latter also grabbing 11 rebounds.
Despite an off night in scoring, Delos Santos still finished with a double-double of his own with 11 points and 13 assists alongside six rebounds and three blocks.
Muntinlupa is now a game and a half behind Quezon for fifth place in the Southern Division.
Robbie Manalang led Pasig, which fell to 12-7, with 20 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Ballesteros added 16 points, 16 rebounds, one block, and two steals.
Pasig failed to move up to fifth place in the Northern Division and instead dropped back to sixth place.
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