Despite having only six players left, Fusion-Dee Chui stood their ground and pulled off a 101-97 overtime win against Jazzville to complete a Best-of-3 Finals sweep in the Intertown Basketball Tournament of the Filipino Sports League at Sultan Bin Zayed Boys School gym in Satwa, Dubai.
Fusion-Dee Chui lost their star players American import 6’6” centre Chad Chambers and 6’3” power forward Charles Bolias early in the fourth quarter due to foul trouble.
“It was a tough game, very physical. Jazzville were very aggressive and they succeeded in getting me into foul trouble.
“But basketball is a team sport and my team-mates stepped up big as they found a way to win in overtime,” Chambers told Sport360°.
Chambers, who previously suited up for Sonoma State University in the US NCAA Division II, did the biggest damage against Jazzville in Game 1 but struggled offensively in Game 2 with 13 points.
Jazzville controlled the match in the first three quarters.
Trying to extend the series to Game 3, they established a 20-16 lead in the first quarter and were still in command until the third quarter at 73-64.
Fusion-Dee Chui came close only in the last four minutes courtesy of back-to-back steals by Ron Sanchez which he eventually turned into baskets.
Jazzville, however, did not give up the lead. They were still on top, 90-87, with six seconds left on the clock and were about to celebrate when Alex Miclat fired from the three-point arc which sent the game into overtime at 90-all.
Fusion-Dee Chui carried their momentum in the extra five minutes and immediately posted a five-point lead while Jazzville failed to execute their plays because of Fusion-Dee Chui’s trapping defence.
Fusion-Dee Chui controlled the boards in overtime and Virgilio Manuel’s frequent trip to the penalty line sealed the crown for the team.
“We just maintained our composure and did not let the physical game of Jazzville get into our nerves.
“We focused on our defence and we played with a big heart,” Fusion-Dee Chui skipper Ron Sanchez told Sport360°.
Scorers
Fusion-Dee Chui 102 – Charles Bolias 24; Ron Sanchez 17; Virgilio Manuel 14; Chad Chambers 13; Alex Miclat 12; Dominic Ceniza 12; Fritz Bauzon 6; Jonex Emnace 4.
Jazzville 97 – Lee Boliver 26; Rolly Basilides 13; Jiggy Apil 11; Sonny Katipunan 10; Brix Falcon 9; Welland Muñoz 9; Dalumpines 8; Alfie Gesta 7; Rod Mutia 4.
