Knowing the importance of the game, Peched Raw showed pure determination as they went on to beat the FR Spoilers, 99-98 in overtime to take a 2-1 lead in their best of five championship series for the 2013 season of the IP&E National Basketball League (NBL), Wednesday night at the Palau National gym.

The breath taking match ended in a draw after four quarters as Mark Pagayanan of FR Spoilers send the game into overtime with a three point shot at the buzzer to tie the game at 87-all.

In the extra period, both teams engaged in a seesaw battle as the score was tied anew at 94-all with barely a minute left in the game. Peched Raw’s Douglas Schmidt then showed up in the dying seconds as he scored on a three point shot to give them a 97-94 breather.

But the Spoilers refused to go down without a fight as Lester Mendoza made a living at the free throw line to chip off the lead at 97-96. Then Aries Echanova scored on a give and go as they took a 98-97 advantage going into the dying seconds of the game.

With less than 20 second left, Peched Raw’s Traxx Mark was fouled in their possession but was not able to convert in the process. However, the ball landed on Schmidt’s hand as he was fouled immediately with 6.1 seconds left in the clock.

Schmidt converted the free throws giving them a 99-98 lead. FR Spoilers called for time and in their next possession had Coco Gonzales rushing to their front court only to find Pagayanan open but was not able to get the shot in time.

The Spoilers clarified the call to the officials as they saw that Pagayanan was fouled in his attempt, but as the referees convene, the decision was called that there was no foul in the last play that gave the win to Peched Raw.

Schmidt topscored for Peched Raw with 33 points as teammates Sunshine Soalablai and Perry Oiterong added 19 and 15, respectively as they take a 2-1 lead in the series.

On the other hand, Mendoza carried the load for the Spoilers with 34 markers as Michael Bombita and Pagayanan chipped in 25 and 19, in that order.

Game Four is still playing as of press time. If Peched Raw win, the series will be over while a win for the Spoilers will send the match into a decisive Game Five tonight at 7 p.m.

The tournament, which is supervised by the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF), is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free program. Any violators will be banned from participating. For more information call Topps at 488-4491.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)