Defending champions Team Knights will live for another day in the APCRAA Basketball Tournament Season 7 quarterfinal round, after defeating archrival Team Gummy Bears, 66-63, on Saturday, July 1 at the APC Gymnasium.
Limited to only 7 players available in their roster and facing a twice-to-win disadvantage against the Gummy Bears, the Knights forced a do-or-die game to be played on July 8 for the right to face Team RamBall in a best-of-three semifinals series.
Having their biggest margin in the game, the Knights were able to erect a five point lead with 7:15 remaining in the game. The Gummy Bears meanwhile chipped away the lead and was able to tie up the game twice. With the game tied at 62-all with only 45 seconds in the game, the Knights were able to regain the lead thanks to a crucial jumpshot made by Christian Tragico. In the ensuing play, Joemark Belardo was fouled by Tragico and split his charities, decreasing the Knights lead to one point with 28 seconds left. Nonoy Sonbise made a dagger shot with only 10 seconds remaining in the game to push the lead to three points. The Gummies tried to force the game to overtime but Guess dela Cuesta missed a potential game tying three point basket.
The Knights distributed the scoring load evenly despite missing the services of Carlo Aboboto and JC Hermo. Jaime Juadines finished with a double-double statline of 13 points and 11 rebounds with 3 assists and 2 steals. Nonoy Sonbise was the team’s top scorer with 15 points, with 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Jhonel de Luna and Christian Tragico scored 13 and 12 points respectively.
Only two players from the Gummy Bears scored in double digits. Brix Estabillo was their top scorer with 23 points with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Lester de Luna finished with a double-double stat line of 17 points and 10 rebounds.
THE SCORES:
KNIGHTS (66): Sonbise 15, Juadines 13, De Luna J 13, Tragico 12, Go 7, Hermo JL 4, Cerrado 2
GUMMY BEARS (63): Estabillo 23, De Luna M 17, Dela Cuesta 8, Belardo 5, Ringor 4, Gratil 4, De Guzman 2, San Diego 0, Gloria 0, Reyes 0, Salvador 0, Castañares 0, Grepo 0
QUARTERSCORES: 22-18, 29-34, 47-45, 66-63
REFEREES: E. Milendrez, E. Pataweg, E. Isuga
FIBA LIVESTATS: https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/APC/2286133/