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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
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04
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19
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2024
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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
19
2024
Playing on borrowed time, 14-year veteran Yancy de Ocampo proved he’s still very much competitive, playing a key role as San Miguel Beer ditched NLEX, 88-80, in overtime to close in on an outright Final Four berth in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at Cuneta Astrodome Wednesday night.
With Junmar Fajardo struggling with early fouls before subsequently fouling out with 46.6 seconds left in regulation, De Ocampo held the fort, pouring in a personal season-best of 17 points to help the Beermen regain the solo lead with an 8-1 win-loss card.
“Nag-step up si Yancy at ipinakita niya yung kanyang experience,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria in lauding his third-string center who had made a total of only 10 points in the tourney before this particular game.
De Ocampo played the entire overtime period and saw action for a total of 26:35 minutes with center/forward Gabby Espinas out on injury.
Compounding the Beermen’s woes were Marcio Lassiter’s own health problem and Arwind Santos’ own early fouls.
Ronald Tubid, Alex Cabagnot and, later on, Santos had their help as the Beermen broke free from a deadlock with the Alaska Milk Aces.
“I’m so glad we salvaged this game,” said Austria. “We have to win our last two games. We don’t have to rely on the other teams.”
NLEX came up short in its upset bid and thus went one rung down to eighth place at 4-5.
With big games from Asi Taulava, Jonas Villanueva and Sean Anthony, the Road Warriors dragged the Beermen to a protracted battle.
The Road Warriors fought back from a five-point deficit in the last 30 seconds in regulation with Taulava knocking down two charities and Villanueva firing a trey as they forced the overtime at 78-all.
The Beermen had a chance to win it in regulation but Cabagnot misfired a three-point try in the dying seconds.
Largely behind a tenacious defense, the Road Warriors stayed right behind the Beermen through the first 24 minutes of play.
They held Fajardo to four points and limited each SMB player to nine or less as the Road Warriors trailed by three, 34-37, at the half.
And they immediately seized the lead, 38-37, at the resumption of play on two free throws by Mark Borboron and a jump shot by Taulava.
Minus Fajardo and Santos, the Beermen weathered the NLEX third-quarter storm, keeping a three-point lead, 59-56, going into the final canto.
De Ocampo put in 12 points in the third period alone.
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