Jayjay Helterbrand shows vintage 'clutchness' as Biñan escapes Nueva Ecija to remain unbeaten in PSL

Jayjay Helterbrand sealed Biñan's home win with this three. PSL
By Ivan Saldajeno

BIÑAN—Jayjay Helterbrand proved that he can still put up clutch moments at age 47 as he drained a booming three that helped Biñan prevail over Nueva Ecija, 96-90, in their highly-anticipated PSL game in front of a sold-out crowd at the Alonte Sports Arena here on Saturday night.

In what could be a preview of the league finals pitting the only two remaining undefeated teams in the field prior to tip-off, Biñan pulled way in the final 25.9 seconds of the game after Nueva Ecija came back from 16 points down with Helterbrand shooting or assisting on the dagger shots.

Behind a 28-10 second quarter, Biñan took control of the game and led, 76-60, at the end of the third quarter.

However, Nueva Ecija outscored Biñan, 26-10, in the first seven minutes of the fourth to tie the game at 86-all entering the last three minutes.

A three-point play from KG Canaleta put Biñan back up, 89-86, with 2:31 left, but Nueva Ecija did not give up and still kept itself in the game down one, 91-90, with 47.7 seconds left.

Coach Boyet Fernandez decided not to use a timeout and let Helterbrand set the dagger play on his own, and the latter responded by pulling up a long three that swished to the net with 25.9 seconds left for a 94-90 count.

Canaleta then blocked Will McAloney's layup attempt, and Helterbrand found Kenny Rocacurva wide open for the breakaway layup that iced the game.

Carlo Lastimosa led Biñan, now 12-0 in the season, with 15 points and one steal, while Canaleta, who was named the Best Player of the Game once more in the team's third home stand this season, added 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.

McAloney fired 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting, eight rebounds, three assists, and three blocks for Nueva Ecija, which lost its first game of the season after a 11-0 start.

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