Gangster and Kingsmen engaged in a highly-entertaining and high-scoring duel which highlighted a packed weekend of games in Week 7 of the 2017 Next5Hoops Metro Manila North Leg Qualifier Recreational Plus Division last October 21 and 22.
In what was undoubtly the best of the five-game slate, Gangster prevailed over Kingsmen, 119-117, surviving a 51-point fourth quarter explosion from the latter as the former avoided a collapse.
Ram Bustillos fired 48 points to go along with 15 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and three blocks to lead Gangster while Bombie Cachapero added 34 markers.
Gangster survived a 63-point outburst from Roy Cayanan who along with Nidor Cordero (23 points) tried to carry Kingsmen back in the game in the final frame.
Gangster took a 20-point lead after three quarters as they played exceptionally well in the second period, going on a 38-23 tear.
They were still ahead 102-82 halfway in the fourth when Cayanan and Cordero suddenly waxed hot, burying bucket after bucket. A last basket by Cordero cut the deficit to within 118-117.
Bustillos scored a split from the line with 13 seconds left to make it a two-point game. Kingsmen was unable to convert in the end, as their could-have-been epic comeback fell ultimately short.
Cayanan made 24-of-48 from the field, including nine triples. He also grabbed 21 rebounds and had five steals in the memorable contest.
Meanwhile, REC, one of two teams which played back to back games over the weekend, swept both of their opponents.
REC downed Wolfpack, 103-93, before dispatching Team Pilipinas, 99-80.
Against Wolfpack, Roel Returiano had an all-around game of 17 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four steals, while making all but one of his nine field goal attempts. Russell Arpon came off the bench for a double-double of 16 points and 11 boards.
Returiano led four double-digit scorers for REC. Toto Trinidad and Luis Comonsad both tallied 26 markers for Wolfpack in the loss.
The next day, Arpon dropped 20 points to lead REC past Team Pilipinas. REC were hardly threatened as they took a 49-30 lead into the intermission.
Wolfpack did not end the weekend empty-handed, bouncing back with an 81-74 win over Colonials.
Trinidad was once again the high-point man with 28 markers as Wolfpack used a 26-13 fourth quarter to close out the game. Trinidad made six threes in the win.
The Colonials were led by Joseph Navarro, who poured in 35 points.
Lastly, the Vanguards narrowly beat FEU-NRMF, 78-74 to cap the weekend’s slate.
Karl Buenviaje chipped in 32 points for the winning side, which turned things around in the second half.
Buenviaje was responsible for a strong fourth quarter finish as racked up seven straight points in the final frame which turned a slim 62-59 lead to a 69-61 advantage for the Vanguards.
Pipoy Lantaca led FEU-NRMF with 19 markers.
