Marikina edged Xentro Mall Rizal, 75-71, in an exciting windup featuring tournament leaders in the Cocogen Ballout Sports Season 2 as the home squad continued its good showing at the Marikina Sports Center.
Jason Opiso and hometown hero Felipe Chavez combined forces for the Shoelanders, who improved their win-loss record to 6-2 and kept hold of the solo lead in the NCR division of this tournament headed by legendary coach Joe Lipa, who serves as league commissioner.
A veteran player from the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, Opiso finished with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field while also pulling down seven boards.
Chavez, who was playing with a dislocated nose, had to remove his mask during the crucial stretch of the game and delivered key baskets. He ended up with 18 markers on top of five rebounds, a steal and a block and continued to be the source of inspiration of Marikina.
He came up with the big plays in the last four seconds by scoring the go-ahead layup then completed his heroics with a steal in Xentro Mall Rizal’s last possession and sealed the win with a buzzer-beating lay up to the delight of the crowd.
Lipa is being assisted in holding the cagefest by former Barangay Ginebra player Ronald Magtulis, who is head of operations.