Coca Cola escaped with a 103-102 double overtime win over Purefoods in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.  

The Coca Cola Tigers' comeback nearly turned to waste had Peter June Simon of the Purefoods Giants not missed a potential game-tying free throw just before the game ended.

With the chance of completing a rare four-point play on an ill-advised foul by the Tigers' Mark Macapagal, Simon had the opportunity to send the game to a third overtime. But the latter succumbed to pressure, and Coca Cola finally got a win after two straight losses.

"This victory could be start of something big for us," said Tigers head coach Binky Favis, who relied on Nic Belasco to get back in the game.

"This is a good break for us," Favis added. "I always believe that if you work hard, good things will come. And it showed tonight."

Belasco poured 15 of his 20 points after the third period, allowing Coca Cola to stay afloat after the Purefoods appeared to take hold of the game.

Coke's Asi Taulava also had a monster game with 20 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in 50 minutes of action.

In the second overtime, Purefoods took a four point lead at 99-95 after James Yap hit two free throws off Alex Cabagnot with 2:37 left.

Cabagnot redeemed himself of the error, sinking a three-pointer that pushed the Tigers just a point shy from the Giants, 98-99.

The Tigers then grabbed the lead from the Giants when Belasco followed up Taulava’s missed shot to make it 100-99 just 1:28 left in the game.

Macapagal padded the lead to 103-99 with a split, 10.5 ticks left. He, however, fouled Simon while the latter was hoisting a three pointer.

Unfortunately for Simon, the bonus free throw rimmed out as time expired.
 

SMB snaps Rain or Shine's win streak

In the second game, San Miguel Beer snapped Rain or Shine's two-game winning streak by scoring an 89-82 victory.

It was the Beermen’s second straight win, tying the Elasto Painters in the team standings with a 2-1 win-loss slate.

Dondon Hontiveros led the Beermen's balanced attack with 17 points. Anthony Washington, Lordy Tugade, and Mick Pennisi each had 15 markers.

Rob Wainwright paced the Elasto Painters with 19 points. Rookie Solomon Mercado was held down to just seven after averaging 20 points a night during their first two games in the tournament.