QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — Down 14 in the third quarter against their toughest opponent to date, the New Era University (NEU) Hunters prevailed in the end and won over Our Lady of Fatima (OLFU) in their semi-final matchup in the Breakdown Basketball League Invitational (BBI), 65-62.
The win meant the NEU Hunters would be facing Ateneo De Manila in the finals.
The Hunters, led by the twin attack of Jefferson Comia and Joel Gonzallo, had a blistering fourth quarter in which they limited the Phoenix to just nine points. In fact, the Phoenix did not score in the last 3:37 of the game.
However, it was only in the very last second of the ball game when NEU secured the win. With the score tied 62-all, a defensive lapse left Gonzallo open to drain a three-point shot that sent the crowd into hysterics. With only one second remaining to somehow even the score, OLFU went for a three-point shot that was blocked by Comia.
Gonzallo led all scorers with 15 points, with Comia contributing 14 points, five assists and three steals. The defensive prowess of the Hunters shined through by forcing the Phoenix to commit 18 turnovers that led to 16 crucial points. NEU’s Adzhar Udjan out-blocked the OLFU basketballers, four to none. (ESB, Eagle News Service contributor)
