Cabahug’s heroics lift Cebu City Sharks over Heroes

Patrick Cabahug showed everybody why he’s one of the clutch players in the league after hitting two game-tying baskets and a game-winning three in Cebu City Sharks’ 77-75 double overtime victory over visiting Laguna Heroes in a South Division game on Saturday night, Nov. 17, at the Hoops Dome in LapuLapu City.

With the Sharks down by a point, 74-75, with just 21 seconds left, Harold Cortes made a crucial steal from an inbound pass. He gave the ball to Cabahug, and with 4.8 seconds remaining, the deadeye shooter calmly drilled the game-winning three pointer despite former PBA player Denok Miranda putting up a hand on his face.

“It’s really different when I’m here playing in Cebu. Thank you, Cebu,” said Cabahug.

Cabahug sat on the bench almost all of the fourth quarter. But when Sharks head coach Titing Manalili called for his services, he delivered.

Down by two, 56-58, in the fourth quarter, Manalili sent Cabahug back into the court after a timeout with 19 seconds left and he hit a step-back three-pointer to send the game into overtime.

The first overtime was neckand-neck. Raymond Ilagan gave the Heroes after a 65-63 lead with a basket in the paint from an inbounds pass.

After missing back-to-back shots, Cabahug then got the ball in his hands again and sank in a 15-foot jumper to send it to a second overtime.

Cabahug led the Sharks with 20 points and six rebounds, hitting three of eight from beyond the arc. Alfred Codilla added 14 points, three assists and a steal from the bench.

The Sharks improved to 6-9, while the Heroes dropped to 7-8. /