THE Cagayan de Oro Higalas got the better of the Basilan BRT, 93-89, in overtime in the 2022 Pilipinas Super League Pearl of the Orient Cup on March 22 at the Dipolog Sports Complex.It was a harrowing game for the Higalas which led by as much as 23 points but saw their lead evaporate in the face of a furious comeback by Basilan. Basilan’s Cebuano forward Jason Melano split his charities with 12 seconds left in regulation to tie the game up at 80-all and force the extra session.In overtime, Cagayan de Oro’s John Tayongtong and former Southwestern University big man Red Cachuela set the tone early as they scored the first six points of overtime. Med Salim pulled Basilan to within a deuce, 87-89, with a three-pointer with 1:13 to go in overtime but Tayongtong stepped up, canning a basket and two free-throws to secure the victory for Cagayan de Oro.Tayongtong and Jopher Custodio had 19 points each for the Higalas while former Cesafi MVP Jaybie Mantilla—who was playing in his first game for Cagayan de Oro—added 13 markers and seven boards. Cachuela finished with 10 points and six rebounds as the Higalas now own an even 1-1 record, the same as Basilan’s.Salim topscored for Basilan with 22 points and eight rebounds while Melano, who previously played for Blackwater in the PBA, flirted with a triple-double of 12 points, 11 boards and six assists.