Quezon snatches MPBL South crown

When the crown was on the line, the Quezon Huskers found a custodian in LJ Gonzales.

Replicating his Game Two heroics, Gonzales tallied the Huskers’ last 13 points as Quezon Province tripped Batangas, 65-60, in Game Three on Thursday and clinched the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season South Division championship at the packed Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.

After dropping Game One, 69-75, at the Lucena Convention Center, the Huskers, with Gonzales bunching seven points and Jason Opiso tipping in the ball with 1.9 seconds left, snatched Game Two, 65-64, at the Batangas City Coliseum to force the South title decider.

With the 2-1 victory, Quezon booked a trip to Dubai for the MPBL National Finals against North Division champion and reigning national titlist Pampanga.

Batangas was ahead, 55-52, when Gonzales bunched 10 points, sandwiched by two triples, that pushed Quezon ahead, 62-55, with 1 minute and 33 seconds left.

Jong Baloria, Kris Porter and Cedrick Ablaza countered for Batangas, 60-62, with 30 seconds to go, but Jason Opiso found Gonzales open for the breakaway drive that virtually sealed the outcome.

After sorry misses by Batangas, the 5-foot-11 Gonzales, a former star of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, then split two charities with 7 ticks left to cap his performance worthy of the Daily Fantasy best player honors.

Inspired by the presence of family members, who traveled from distant San Mateo, Isabela to watch the game, Gonzales posted 22 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals.

Other Huskers who delivered for Coach Eric Gonzales were Judel Fuentes with 14 points plus 5 rebounds, Opiso with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists and , Gab Banal with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Batangas got 16 points and 4 rebounds from Ablaza, 14 points and 3 rebounds from Baloria, 9 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals from CJ Isit and 8 points plus 4 rebounds from Porter.

The Rum Masters were hampered by their inability to convert free throws, sinking just 19 of 39 attempts for 48.7 percent. In contrast, the Huskers made 9 of 10 charities for 90 percent.

With Fuentes sinking three triples, the Huskers took the first quarter, 19-15, anchored on a 9-0 blitz.

Batangas, powered by Baloria and Ablaza clustered 12 points to seize control, 29-22.

Gonzales shed tears during the post-game interview, baring it was the first time his family watched him play in the big stage.

As early as 7 a.m., fans trooped to the venue, where most of the tickets were distributed. Over 7,000 managed to squeeze in while hundreds more watched at giant LED screens at the provincial capitol grounds.

Game Three was a social media blockbuster with live viewers surpassing 70,000 on Facebook and 50,000 on YouTube.

Quezon and reigning national titlist Pampanga will clash in a best-of-five series, kicking off with Game One and Game Two on Dec. 1 and 3 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.