JEFF Viernes came up big late as South stunned North in overtime, 126-122, in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Lakan All-Star Game on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Batangas playmaker was cool from the stripe in the final 25 seconds as he secured the victory in the endgame to cap his stellar 28-point, six-rebound, six-assist, two-steal game that made him the All-Star Game MVP.
It was also Viernes who forced overtime as he calmly sank his free throws with six seconds left in regulation to knot the game at 122.
Michael Juico still had a shot to win the game for Team North, but his trey at the buzzer could not find the bottom of the net.
Zamboanga's Alvin Pasaol added 19 points and nine rebounds off the bench in the win. Cebu's Will McAloney did his damage early with 16 points and four rebounds, GenSan's Robby Celiz had 12 points and five boards, and Bacoor City's Gab Banal added 11.
Viernes, Banal, and Celiz teamed up in staging a 10-0 run for the South All-Stars to take a 122-112 lead, but their North counterparts crawled right back, capped off by a three from Pasig's Jeric Teng to knot the score at 122 with 40 seconds left.
That, however, only opened up the opportunity for Viernes' late heroics.
Pampanga's Juico topscored for the North All-Stars with his 23 points to go with nine rebounds, and four assists.
San Juan's John Wilson also registered 18 points on a 3-of-11 clip from threes, to go with three rebounds, as Manila's Aris Dionisio also 14 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in the defeat.
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The scores:
SOUTH ALL-STARS 126 - Viernes 28, Pasaol 19, McAloney 16, Celiz 12, Banal 11, Yee 10, Bulanadi 8, Anderson 7, Mangahas 3, Buenafe 3, Vaygan 3, Escoto 2, Ylagan 2, Llagas 2, Javelona 0.
NORTH ALL-STARS 122 - Juico 23, Wilson 18, Dionisio 14, Ular 13, Reyes 12, Teng 11, Hubalde 8, Batino 7, Ablaza 6, Reverente 4, Taganas 2, Benitez 2, Derige 2, Taywan 0, Sanga 0, Solis 0.
Quarters: 28-23, 51-51, 80-79, 112-112, 126-122.
Source: Spin PH
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