Chris Bitoon came alive offensively in the fourth quarter as the Nueva Ecija Capitals pulled off a 94-91 escape over the Quezon Titans in Game 1 of the PSL President’s Cup finals on late Tuesday at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum.
After seeing their 17-point lead turn into a 74-75 deficit, Bitoon anchored the Capitals’ run with three three-point conversions and a layup coupled with conversions from Robby Celiz for an 89-82 lead.
The Titans countered with a run to cut the deficit to 89-91 with under a minute left, but Bitoon responded with another three-pointer to give the Capitals a 94-89 lead with 29 seconds left.
Bitoon finished with a double-double of 16 points and 12 assists to go with seven rebounds and a steal as the Capitals took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five championship series.
“Nag-click lang ‘yung defense namin nung second half, and pumasok ‘yung mga three-point shots namin,” Bitoon said. “Pag aaralan namin ‘yung mga naging mistakes namin sa Game 1 para hindi na maulit sa Game 2.”
Celiz led the way for the Capitals with 18 points; William McAloney Jr. and Michael Juico added 16 and 13 points, respectively; and Nat Cosejo and Jonathan Uyloan contributed 12 points each.
LJay Gonzales and Judel Fuentes tallied 19 points apiece to lead the Titans; Will Gozum added 16 markers; and Rodel Gravera and RJ Minerva had 13 and 10 points, respectively, in the loss.
The post Chris Bitoon sizzles in 4th as Nueva Ecija takes Game 1 of PSL finals first appeared on Fastbreak.
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