The heroics of former Philippine Basketball Association star Nino Gelig in the end game put his team KBAS Batangas in a convincing eight-point win over Lucky Seven, 75-67, as the elimination rounds heat up in the Premiere Division of Nissan Cup 2016 hosted by Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ).
Gelig’s crucial 4-point baskets, conversions in the free throw line and a short jumper, with over a minute left in the game gave them a comfortable 13-point edge that proved to be the turning point of their hard-earned victory.
Lucky Seven’s top scorer Khim Calo tried to strike a comeback with his three-point basket with less than a minute left but that was all that they could muster to inch closer in their deficit as time was already ticking away towards the final buzzer.
The game was actually tight as both squads refused to budge and were engaged in unnerving trading of baskets for most part of the game. The scores were levelled four times — once in the first quarter, twice in the second and once in the third.
KBAS tried to make an early rally at the start of the fourth quarter but the opposing squad managed to crawl back within a fighting single-digit distance to be in contention of the game.
Gelig led his team with 23 points while Calo on the other side rallied with 20 points.
In the other game, the star-studded Light Scribe took a commanding triumph over Monte Vista with 14-point advantage, 91-77.
Led by Paul David with 17 points, Light Scribe dominated most part of the game, pulling away with a 12-point edge early in the second quarter.
Since then, the eventual winners never looked back even as Monte Vista tried to stage a comeback in a mini rally but this was not good enough as time also ticked away until the final buzzer was sounded.
The Nissan 21st Season Men’s Championship Cup of Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ) is presented by McDonald’s Qatar. The tournament is supported by Qatar Basketball Federation and the Philippine Embassy in Qatar and co-Sponsored by Alicafe, Diana Jewellery and Watches, GO Sports, Philippine Airlines, Filipino Community Center, Fraser Suites Hotel and Shuttersbug Photography.