Cebu escapes Bulacan in OT thriller

Sports

THE Cebu Greats continued piling up wins, leaning on Wowie Escosio down the stretch to hack out an 85-80 overtime win over the Bulacan Kuyas in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season on Monday night, June 23, at the Alonte Sports Complex in Biñan, Laguna.

Escosio tallied 14 points, nine rebounds, and three steals as he led Cebu’s third straight win that hiked its record to 11-3 (win-loss) in the South Division.

Escosio was 6-of-10 from the field and made crucial baskets in the five-minute extension.

The Greats had the chance of finishing off the Kuyas in regulation when they took a 74-68 lead with 3:05 left. Bulacan, however, fought back with Jeremy Cruz and Joshua Moralejo delivering crucial hits that tied the contest at 76-all, eventually sending the match into overtime.

Bulacan took a 78-76 lead in OT but Escosio hit a jumper then dropped two free throws that pushed Cebu ahead.

Escosio also scored on a layup that gave the Greats a three-point lead, 83-80, with 1:54 left before Ice Hontiveros iced the win for Cebu after scoring on a putback that made it a five-point game with only 34.8 seconds to go.

Dhon Reverente helped Cebu’s cause by collecting 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Al Francis Tamsi chipped in 14 points built on four triples while Mark Meneses donated eight rebounds, and three blocks.

Cruz piled 17 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals to lead Bulacan, which dropped to 4-9.

BOX SCORES:

CEBU (85)- Escosio 14, Tamsi 14, Reverente 11, Meneses 8, Hontiveros 7, Echavez 6, Camacho 6, Altamirano 5, Baetiong 4, Armenion 4, Gesalem 3, Ariar 2, Payawal 1, Dennison 0.

BULACAN (80)- Cruz 17, Moralejo 16, Airohn Acop 10, Sy Jr. 9, Andrei Acop 7, Castillo 7, Medina 6, De Leon 6, Barrera 2, Benedictos 0, Lorenzo 0, Limpo 0, Dizon 0.(CCM)