Jayjay Helterbrand and KG Canaleta turned back the hands of time and put on a show in front of the local folks as they steered Biñan to a thrilling 96-90 win over previously unbeaten Nueva Ecija in a titanic battle in the PSL President’s Cup Saturday night at the jampacked Alonte Sports Center.
Just when the chips were falling down, Tatak Gel went to their old reliables who responded with big plays down the stretch.
A former Most Valuable Player in the Philippine Basketball Association and a six-time league champion while playing for the country’s most popular team, Barangay Ginebra, Helterbrand rediscovered his old role as a clutch performer and delivered for Tatak Gel.
With the shot clock winding down and Biñan protecting a shaky 91-90 lead, Helterbrand let loose a three-point shot from 25 feet out.
His shot in the last 25 seconds sent the crowd in pandemonium as Helterbrand relived his old familiar role as savior during crunch time.
“I was just enjoying the moment,” said Helterbrand. “I was just looking at what the defense gave me and the shot clock was winding down, so I took the shot.”
The Capitals tried to work their next offensive thrust anchored on Will McAloney, but the lefty forward was rejected by Canaleta and Tatak Gel’s Kenny Rogers Rocacurva was fouled in the next play and sank both charities for the final tally.
By prevailing in the battle of the biggies, Biñan remained as the only undefeated team in the tournament and extended its winning streak to 12 to stay on the leaderboard.
“HIndi dapat mawala yung poise. Maski nung lamang kami, nagra-run sila,” said Canaleta. “Yung mga batang players namin, kami kasi tinitingnan nila. Para naman sa mga susunod na games at napunta sila sa ganitong sitwasyon, madala nila.”
Canaleta finished with 14 points, including five crucial points in the final two minutes, while also adding seven rebounds.
