Sports: Toyota Escapes Fortuna in OT, 122-118

Toyota-Bacolod remained as the only undefeated team in the ongoing 1st PROBAC/LNA7 Invitational Basketball Tournament after it survived in overtime against Fortuna, 122-118, Wednesday night.

Fortuna took control of the opening quarter on a 26-16 blast over Toyota behind the Carlo Chu’s 12 points and the combined efforts of JR Gapusan and Bonoy Olmedo for 10 points as Keempee Lagrason was the only Toyota player to score in double digit with 10 points.

But Toyota fired up in the second period on a 24-17 run to cut the lead down to 3 points at the half, 43-40.

Allan Jaena proved to be one of the squad’s consistent scorers as he led Toyota’s comeback game with 10 points while Tony Agustin shot 7 points, including a triple. Alrich Apuang and Ryan Gamboa scored 7 and 6 points, respectively, for Fortuna.

Toyota kept the momentum in the third period as they tallied 34 points against Fortuna’s 29.

Rico Cabatu, who also played big in their last game against Watchmen Daily Journal where he fired 26 points in the third quarter, again connected three triples for 17 points to anchor Toyota’s successful attack in the period. His teammate Marco Avecilla, likewise, dominated the post with 13 points. Meanwhile, Noel Peñas and Tee Espejo battled it out for Fortuna with 11 and 8 points apiece.

Toyota ended on top at the end of the period, 74-72.

However, Apuang and Chu came out sizzling in the final period with 10 and 8 points, separately, to anchor Fortuna’s 32-point output, spoiling the 14-point production of Lagrason.

With Toyota unable to convert their shots in the quarter, Fortuna forced them to play in the overtime, ending the regulation at 104-all.

In the extension period, Jaena fired 8 points as Lagrason added 5 for 18 points to lift Toyota to a win.

Lagrason topscored Toyota with 29 points as Cabatu backstopped with 24 while Jaena hit 22, Avecilla 13 and Agustin with 9 points. Meanwhile, Chu led Fortuna in losing effort with 28 points as Apuang scored 19, Espejo with 13, Peñas 11, Olmedo 10 and Gapusan with 9 points.

In the other match, Bad Boys bounced back from the 94-98 setback against Fortuna last Monday after dumping Boston Finance, 91-82 last Wednesday evening.

Raymund Lacson fired 21 points, including four treys, to led the bad Boys as Philip Famucol delivered 14, Nico Lopingco with 13, Mark Yanson with 10 and Alex Fernandez with 10 points.

On the other hand, Jerald Abrot scored a gamehigh 28 points for Boston as Brad Hojilla backed with 15 points, Jason Yap with 10, Doc Baloyo hits 8 and John Villaroman with 7 points.*