Consolacion rallies from double-digit deficit to nip Davao Occidental in PSL 21-Under

The reigning champions Consolacion Sarok Weavers showed their veteran mettle down the stretch, making their free-throws when it mattered most to eke out a thrilling 76-72 win over the Davao Occidental Dreamers in the Pilipinas Super League 21-Under Vis-Min Leg on Thursday evening at the raucous Toledo City Megadome.Froiland Maglasang led the Sarok Weavers with 22 points, highlighted by four makes from rainbow country. Matt Flores hauled down 22 rebounds and nine points, including two free-throws in crunchtime that put Consolacion in front for good.Keaton Taburnal added 15 points and five rebounds, while Rovello Robles had 11 markers and four boards.Down by as much as 14 early on, Consolacion kept their head in the game, eventually erasing the deficit and engage Davao Occidental in a neck-to-neck battle in the final period.Both teams waxed hot from beyond the arc in the last 10 minutes of action, with Dreamers’ wingman Rainer Maga canning a corner triple to tie the game at 72-all, with 2:52 remaining in the ballgame.After numerous empty possessions from both teams, Flores fished a foul and made one of two to give the Sarok Weavers the lead, 73-72. A little over 30 seconds later, Flores was again fouled on his short jumper, splitting his charities for a 74-72 lead with 50 seconds remaining.The Dreamers gained a chance to tie the game after Maga got fouled but he missed both free-throws. Davao Occidental got another shot after Maglasang got blocked on his drive, but Limuel Tampus missed his three-point try.Flores grabbed the board and was hit hard by Davao’s Jude Bagay, who was assessed an unsportsmanlike foul. However, Consolacion’s bench was also called for a technical foul after numerous players and coaches stepped onto the floor at the height of the commotion.Davao, though, could not take advantage as Angeles missed the free-throw while Flores made one of two for a 75-72 Consolacion lead with six seconds to go. Taburnal then put the game away with another make from the charity stripe.Maga led Davao Occidental with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Christian Malano and Tampus had 12 markers each.