By PR | 06:33 PM October 10, 2023
Mark Vincent Hela drained a clutch game-winning two-pointer with four seconds left in the game to complete Talibon’s come-from-behind win against Tagbilaran City, 90-89, in Game 1 of the Governor’s Cup 2023 Finals Sunday at the Bohol Wisdom Gym in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Facing a one point deficit with 11 seconds to go, Talibon’s Jayson Evangelista went full speed down the length of the court before dropping it to Hela who drained a short jumper from inside the paint, burying a dagger in the hearts of the host team and the partisan crowd to steal homecourt advantage in the series.
“Ga duha-duha nakog itsa ato pero ako nalang gyud gibuhat para lang mudaog mi,” Hela said in the post-game interview when asked about what went into his mind when he went for the game-winner.
Talibon head coach Eden Mejias lauded his players’ creativity to win the game, citing it was their own plays because there was no more timeout left to draw up one.
“Wala nato’y play, kanya-kanya nato nga pamaagi kay wala nami timeout. Dili matukib gyud ang feeling aning kadaogan namo,” coach Mejias said.
Before Hela’s game-winning shot, Tagbilaran was on top in the final quarter, feeding off the energy from the home crowd.
However, a costly turnover by Mark Floyd Bugahod, resulting in a controversial but correct stepping out of bounds call by the referee, gave the ball back to Talibon to set-up the thrilling finish.
Vincent Eronico paced Talibon with 24 points, eight rebounds, two assists and three steals while the hero Hela finished the game with 10 points, five rebounds, an assist, steal, and block.
Tagbilaran star center Jayson Balabag top-scored with a game-high 27 points despite dealing with intense and impressive defense from Talibon’s front court all game long.
Talibon now sets its sights to clinch the championship at home while Tagbilaran hopes to live to fight another day and force a winner-take-all game 3 back in the capital when both teams clash again on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the CPG Gym in Talibon, Bohol. (PIMO/MAV)
