Pangasinan fends off San Juan, clinches North Division finals seat
MPBL PLAT OFFS
THE Pangasinan Heatwaves finished off the North Division Semifinal series after thwarting the third-seeded San Juan in a thriller, 83-80 in the 7th Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Playoffs last November 14 held at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, Metro Manila.
Heading to the opening frame, Pangasinan had a rousing start shooting from the three-point territory with five conversions, sparked by Allyn Bulanadi’s three triples. The Knights answered with back-to-back triples from AC Soberano, but Heatwaves’ JP Maguliano got loose on the offense through his driving layups to score seven points and gain the early advantage, 30-17.
Moving to the second period, Orlan Wamar anchored San Juan’s catch-up job and pumped in six points, reinforced with Nikko Panganiban’s five markers to cut the lead within seven in the halftime, 40-47.
On the third, a see-saw battle unfolded with three deadlocks and two lead changes. AC Soberano maintained his hot shooting from behind the three-point line with six points, alongside the pull-up jumpers of Arvin Gamboa. Heatwaves’ big men Michael Mabulac and Vic Manuel worked in the shaded area with nine combined points to counter. In the dying seconds, Ian Melencio sank a half-court heave at the buzzer to tie the game at 62 all.
In the latter part of the fourth, Pangasinan went on a six-to-one run to push the lead, 81-75. However, San Juan fought back with their own 5-point cluster triggered by Arvin Gamboa’s jumper and Orlan Wamar’s triple to trim the lead within one point, 80-81.
Heatwaves in possession, Vic Manuel took over in the clutch when he drained a turnaround shot to extend the lead. San Juan had a chance to tie when they managed to grab the boards to create three possessions, but missed three consecutive shots from deep at the end of regulation.
Pangasinan banked on Vic Manuel with 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Allyn Bulanadi got 15 points while Michael Mabulac added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
San Juan collected 16 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists from Arvin Gamboa; 15 points from AC Soberano, and 12 points from Nikko Panganiban.
The Heatwaves will square off against the top-seeded Abra Weavers in the North Division Finals which will be disputed in a best-of-five series. (Kim Gealogo)
