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| Ivan Panapanaan was mobbed by his teammates after hitting the game-winner for JRU at the buzzer. NCAA |
MANILA––Arellano failed to recognize what Ivan Panapanaan can do in the clutch as they let him hit the game-winning shot that led Jose Rizal University to a 79-77 escape in the last game of the NCAA men's basketball crossover round on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Sean Salvador found Panapanaan wide open for the buzzer-beating layup that prevented the game from going to overtime.
Panapanaan's buzzer-beater made up for Shawn Argente's missed go-ahead free throw that opened up a chance for the Chiefs to steal the win.
However, King Vinoya missed a layup of his own, and Allan Laurenaria grabbed the rebound, initiating the game-winning attack.
Although he only had four points, Panapanaan's buzzer-beater was a fitting finish to a block party he had as he swatted away five shots.
Shawn Argente led the Heavy Bombers, who tied the Letran Knights in third place in Group B at 5-4, with 21 points, four rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
Salvador added 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal off the bench.
Joseph Hernal led the Chiefs, who dropped to 3-6, with 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting, nine rebounds, and three blocks.
With Arellano's loss, Perpetual Help, the hottest team right now with an 8-1 record, clinched a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals as the group stages resume this weekend.
The scores:
JRU 79 РArgente 21, Salvador 19, Laurenaria 12, Garupil 10, Panapanaan 4, Castillo 4, Herrera 3, Duque 2, Benitez 2, Pe̱averde 2, Sarmiento 0
ARELLANO 77 – Hernal 17, Abiera 15, Geronimo 14, Vinoya 11, Ongotan 9, Valencia 5, Cabotaje 2, Demetria 2, Buenaventura 2, Camay 0, Langit 0, Libang 0, Borromeo 0, Miller 0
Quarterscores: 18-19, 41-37, 59-63, 79-77
