By Reynald Magallon
Photo from Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas facebook page
Team Hustle prevailed over Team Heart hacking out a thrilling 94-86 victory behind Mark Nonoy's clutch performance in the 2019 Chooks-to-Go SM NBTC All Star game at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
Nonoy took over in the payoff period scoring 16 points in the final quarter alone, 14 points in the last five minutes of the ball game.
Nonoy started his offensive display after he scored on an acrobatic layup to extend the lead, 73-65, in favor of Team Hustle, with 7:25 left in the payoff period. Dan Arches answered back with a back-to-back to basket to come within four 73-69 with 6:50 to go.
John Amores extended Team Hustle's lead back to six after a shifty drive to the hole.
However, Jalen Green had other things in mind as he drilled a right wing triple for Team Heart before Joel Cagulangan sank two free throws to come within one, 75-74 with 5:15 remaining.
A Kai Ballungay fast break layup gave Team Heart the lead on the next offensive but Nonoy quickly reclaimed it for Team Hustle after drilling two freebies, 77-76.
Green then answered back with his own pair of charities but Nonoy unleashed a booming triple on the other end before Ballungay once again tied the game at 80-all on another fastbreak attack.
Nonoy took over from there as he scored four straight points for Team Hustle, two from the foul line and two on a layup.
Green tried to stop the bleeding with two free throws but Nonoy was unstoppable in the dying seconds as he scored on a fastbreak before drilling a back breaking triple which proved to be the nail in the coffin for Team Hustle as they lead 89-82 with 34 ticks left.
Green though refused to go into the night silently with a quick jam as they played the fouling game the rest of the way. RJ Abarrientos though made them pay as he calmly sank his two charities for a 91-84 lead with 27 seconds left.
Both teams exchanged free throws from there which made the finally tally, 94-86.
Nonoy was awarded as the All-Star Game's Most Outstanding Player as he poured in 23 points while Abbarrientos provided support with 23 points for the Chris Gavina and Alex Cabagnot-mentored squad. Sotto added six points , 10 rebounds and three rejections as he probably played his last game in his home soil.
Green paced Team Heart with 19 points and 12 rebounds while Kai Ballungay kept on introducing his brand of play with 16 points and five boards for the Charles Tiu and Metta World Peace mentored squad.
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