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| Despite fouling out, Lhancer Khan still did enough to star again for Tikas Kapampangan in Game 1 of the NBL-Pilipinas Governors Cup Finals. NBL (file photo) |
MANILA—Defending champion Tikas Kapampangan needed two overtimes to surpass the challenge of the visiting Pangasinan Asinderos 111-104 in Game 1 of the NBL-Pilipinas Governors Cup Reinforced Conference Finals at the jam-packed Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando City, Pampanga on Sunday.
Both teams will now prepare for Game Two of the best-of-five series this Friday at the Robert B. Estrella Jr. Memorial Stadium in Rosales, Pangasinan.
Jake Munoz and Greg Cunanan put in the needed points for Tikas to pull away 109-104 with 37 seconds left.
The Asinderos could not shoot a field goal and settled for free throws in the entire second overtime.
Renzo Victoria set the stage for another five minutes with 50 ticks to go for the 99-all tie.
Earlier, Ismael Sarmiento tipped in the missed free throw of Jhomel Sansano with five seconds remaining to force the first overtime at 92-all.
Even though Lhancer Khan picked up his sixth and final foul in the first overtime, Tikas held tough.
Khan was still chosen Best Player with 17 points and 16 rebounds in 37 minutes off the bench.
Raymond Binuya provided support with 14 and Dave Ednilag with 12. Joseph Francisco and Jerome Santos added 10 each.
The 26 points of Rodel Mark Renon went to waste. He was followed by Sansano with 19 and Sarmiento with 16.
The heart-stopping game was very different from the 107-86 win by Tikas in the eliminations last July 19 at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
Even in the 2025 President's Cup, the Kapampangans won easily, 109-96, on May 12, 2025 at SM Southmall in Las Piñas.
Box Scores:
PAMPANGA (111) - Khan 17, Binuya 14, Ednilag 12, Cunanan 11, J. Santos 10, Francisco 10, Munoz 9, Manalang 8, Victoria 7, M. Santos 6, Isidro 4, Gania 3, Gomez 0.
PANGASINAN (104) - Renon 26, Sansano 19, Sarmiento 16, Papa 10, Ventura 8, Coquia 8, J. Caasi 6, Saure 6, Fabia 4, Mondala 1, Estores 0, Ober 0, Asuncion 0, Ligon 0.
Quarters: 30-22, 45-47, 66-70, 92-92, 99-99, 111-104.
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