Undermanned, RBK Cobras could have just given up knowing they just have 5 players on their roster against Tondo Bonjings,
Nonetheless, these Cobras fought gallantly until the end. It was not in the cards for the Cobras to earn a victory.
Nikki Fazekas, the younger brother of Nick Fazekas of Petron who wears a silly cap when playing basketball, proved to be the decisive man to haunt Cobras for this game. Fazekas scored the final 4 pivotal points for Bonjing, including a wild reverse layup to seal the win for Bonjings, 111-108 over the over-achieving RBK Cobras.
With Cobras leading 108-107, Fazekas first drained a tough inside shot over Christian Queng. Down to their last play to win the ballgame, the Cobras went to Michael Kent for an isolation against Fazekas. Kent, criticized often during the game for attempting too many shots, drove past Fazekas and passed the rock to Queng who was blocked on his first try. Queng, nicknamed Ninong, recovered the loose ball and gave the ball back to Kent.
Again, Kent drove past Fazekas and dished the ball upon seeing the double team of Jun Bonjing and Fazekas.
Queng was wide open for the game winner. The problem is, he faked the shot.
Bonjing recovered to put pressure on Queng, which he missed the shot and Fazekas drove the baseline for the game winner.
"We played with just 5 players on our team and we nearly pulled one off" Benedick Lim said. Lim returned after a month layoff. "I was rusty but the heat was just too much." Tensions rise in the first half as Cobras teammates, Carlos Chan and Arnold Tsai, were seen frustrated of not having the ball in their hands and blames Kent. "I was open for those open jumpshots plus the fact i tried to drive and dish the ball out. With the defense that Bonjing were giving us, I have to be aggressive on those plays otherwise, we'll have a hard time scoring." Kent said.
RBK Cobras connected on 10 of their 28 attempts from the three point line, with Chan accounting for 5, Kent connecting 3 and Lim made 2. "This is our main weapon, and we'll keep on shooting no matter what." Chan said.
NOTES: Arnold Tsai left the game in the fourth quarter on what was described as pulled index finger. Upon asking for substitution, Tsai was ignored by everybody. Cobras started hot, drilling their first 4 out of 5 attempts from the three point line. Queng scored a season high 6 points. Kent has no rebounds for the first time in his career.
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