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Gahol's desperation trey lifts Alaska Milk
By DAVE COROS

ANTIPOLO -- Bryan Gahol nailed a 3-point shot with seven seconds left in overtime to lift Alaska to a 99-98 come-from-behind victory against Shell Velocity yesterday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.

It was the second win in a row for the Milkmen, who have now won their last nine games on the road and their third in as many games at the Ynares Center.

Thanks to Gahol, a 19 point, seven rebound performer, who capped his sterling effort by making his first ever 3-point attempt in the league at the most appropriate time.

His desperate shot spoiled the standout performance of John Best, who turned in a career-high 49 points, and a gallant effort by the Zoom Masters, who pushed the Milkmen to their limits despite the absence of key players Benjie Paras, Gerald Esplana and Rommel Santos due to various injuries.

In the second game, San Miguel Beer nipped Mobiline, 87-85, to claim solo second in the 10-team league with a 3-1 card.

Mobiline abosrbed its second loss in four games.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Shell which blew a five-point lead with under three minutes left, missed two crucial free throws in the final 18 seconds and finally picked up its second loss in four games when Best bungled a shot underneath the basket that could have altered the outcome of the game.

Shell reserve guard Dale Singson, whose 3-pointer at regulation forced the overtime, turned from hero to goat by committing a crucial turnover that paved the way for Alaska's closing 8-2 run.

The Zoom Masters held a 96-91 lead with under three minutes remaining and had ball possession when Kenneth Duremdes missed a jumper.

But Rodney Santos stole a weak pass by Singson and completed the effort with a hard drive while drawing a foul from his guard. Santos, who wound up with 15 points, completed the three-point play to make it a two-point game.

After Jun Marzan split his charities with 18 second left, Alaska sued for time before Santos scored on a layup that made the count 96-97.

Alaska quickly fouled Singson in the ensuing play but the Shell guard made just one of two free throws with 13 second left.

After another timeout, Bong Hawkins quickly worked the ball down court then dumped the leather to an open Gahol, who launched the trey.

Shell called its last timeout and plotted its final offensive. In the ensuing play, Best got the ball from under the basket, faked off three defenders before making the shot that rolled out of the rim as time expired.

(Source: Manila Bulletin - July 9, 2000)