Jonathan Manalili delivered in the clutch, carrying Farm Fresh-Letran to a thrilling 90-88 win over gallant Mandaluyong Namayan in the National Capital Region Leg of the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under tournament on Wednesday at San Andres Gymnasium.
With 9.5 seconds left and the game knotted at 88-all, Manalili, the 16th-ranked high school prospect by the National Basketball Training Center, received the ball from the top of the key, swooped to the lane and knocked down a high-arching layup as time expired to seal the Milkers’ fourth straight win.
Manalili wound up with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Farm Fresh-Letran is now the only unbeaten team in the NCR Leg of this tournament.
National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 98 Juniors Basketball Finals Most Valuable Player Andy Gemao led the way for the Milkers with 32 points, seven rebounds, and two steals while De La Salle Zobel’s Kieffer Alas was held down to just four points.
Still, it was a tough stand by the Tigre, who rallied from nine points down before tying that game at 88-all with 10 seconds left in the contest.
Shawn Antazo led Mandaluyong Namayan with 23 points and eight rebounds while James Corpuz and Axell Cue finished with 13 and 12 markers, respectively.
Mandaluyong fell to an even 3-3 slate, dimming their chances of advancing to the final four of this 10-team leg.
