MBA FINALS: DRAGONS WIN GAME 3
San Fernando, Pampanga, Oct. 22, 1998 - The Pampanga Dragons pulled off a 99-91 victory over the Negros Slashers last night in Game 3 of he Metropolitan Basketball Association National Finals held at the Pampanga Convention Center.
It was a closely fought game during the first two quarters as the Dragons and the Slashers battled to nine deadlocks and six lead changes before the Pampanga boys moved in to take a 7-point lead at halftime, 57-50.
But what spelled the difference for the Dragons was their 7-0 drive in the final two minutes of the game, capped by a 3-pointer.
Long David scored 21 points, including 16 in the first half and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Pampanga but it was the Dragons' overall hatchet job on Slashers center Jack Tanuan and playmaker Maui Huelar that did the job of giving the hosts a victory at home.
Negros center Tanuan could make no more than six points the whole evening while Huelar was limited to 11 in the face of very tight guarding by the Dragons on two of Negros' leading scorers.
"Sabi ko sa mga bata, malimitahan lang natin ang dalawang scorer nila, may pag-asa tayo," said Pampanga coach Aric del Rosario.
Asked on whether he could sweep the series at home, he remarked: "Kung makakaya, gagawin natin. Mahirap nang bumalik pa doon sa Bacolod. Sana huwag na."
Games 4 and 5 of the title playoffs will be held in San Fernando again this weekend, both starting at 4 o'clock.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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