Luna, Apayao - Kabugao veteran center Jefson Dail carried his team in a winning effort as they sneaked past Pudtol in an overtime game yesterday, Febraury 4, 2023 at BGVJr. Memorial Sports Center, Poblacion, Luna.
A jam-packed venue was seen in a match between the two sports powerhouse towns as they battle it out in the elimination round of Say-am 2023 basketball tournament.
Kabugao closed out the opening quarter with a two-point advantage over Pudtol, 22-20, enough momentum to carry out in the second period as they try to double the scoring effort shown in the first.
Pudtol on the other hand matched Kabugao's offensive firepower with their inside presence as they pounded the low post with their size advantage. They trimmed down the deficit to just two with a quick 5-0 run at the one-minute mark of the second quarter. Kabugao still held the lead at the half, 47-45.
After the break, Kabugao went into early foul trouble giving an opportunity for Pudtol to tie the game at 49 a piece, the first of the many deadlocks in the ballgame.
Entering the four-minute mark of the third, Pudtol took advantage of the momentum and managed to snatch the lead 57-51, forcing Kabugao's coach to burn a crucial timeout.
With Pudtol trying to make a run, Kabugao's Jefson Dail took over on the defensive end by hustling every rebound and contesting every shot. He orchestrated his team's comeback by locking down the paint while his teammates pushed the offensive pace for fastbreak points.
The game was neck and neck until the final minute of the fourth quarter. Both teams tied at 88 with only 25 seconds left in regulation. The crowd went wild as John Mark Rodrigo of Pudtol hoisted a hail mary shot that could possibly secure them the win. The shot was later declared not counted adding another five minutes for the overtime period.
In the overtime, Dail once again made his presence felt by scoring six of the last seven points for Kabugao. His timely baskets sealed the game for his team as they won this hard-fought battle, 98-95.
Kabugao remains as the only undefeated team in this elimination round of the Say-am 2023 basketball tournament.
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