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By Robert Balajadia

Typhoons’ Joe Blas goes up and under the incoming Bombers defender Ronnie Jamison as he puts the ball up for two. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The Andersen Bombers had the Tamuning Typhoons right where they wanted them late in the game, or so it seemed.

Typhoons’ forward Joe Blas was the man of the hour, hitting a deep three-pointer as time expired to tie the game at 57 where the Bombers got a big lift from Edgardo Baza to defeat the Bombers 66-61 in the battle of the undefeated teams in the Golden Hoops Classic. Blas finished with a game high 25 points.

Andersen was leading 56-54 with less than a minute left in the game when Brian Cooper stepped to the free throw line where he made just one of two shots to go up 57-54.

The Typhoons were down by three and tried to go to Blas for the clutch bucket, but Blas stumbled on the play and lost the ball which allowed the Bombers to advance the ball and head to the free throw line behind Cooper once again with five seconds left on the clock. Blas was looking for the foul call but didn’t get it.

McDonald’s Player of the Game Typhoons’ Joe Blas. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The first free throw clanked off back rim and Typhoons coach Elsa Ujoa began shouting to advanced the ball immediately if Cooper were to miss the second. The second free throw looked much like the first and had the same result, allowing Typhoons Dominic Sablan just seconds to get a shot up.

The ball was nearly stolen when Sablan dished the ball to Blas at half court, but he controlled it and took one dribble before pulling up four feet behind the three-point line, burying the game tying shot over two defenders.

“Earlier, I was warming up from that spot. Once I saw it was a long rebound I just took off down court and made sure they weren’t in a spot to intercept the ball. I knew I could knock it down, especially with the momentum of my dribble,” stated Blas on the final seconds of the game.

Fans from both ends got off their seats in applause for Blas’ late game heroics, but there was still an overtime to go before the winner was decided.

Baza hit two consecutive difficult layups and got fouled while shooting a three pointer, netting six straight points for the Typhoons that put them up 63-61. The Bombers would get a couple of easy baskets that kept it close but a late turnover, and a Typhoon offensive scramble with less than 20 seconds left, allowed Derrick Royster to officially end the game with a three pointer to give the Typhoons the 66-61 win.

Sammy Setik scored 12 big points for the Typhoons while also getting 10 points from sharp shooter JP Cruz. Michael Evans had 10 points to lead the Bombers in a well divided scoring output.

The Typhoons and Bombers always make for an exciting game but Blas is always confident that his squad will always walk away victorious.

“They are tough, well coached, and really athletic, but we could beat them. I’m going to keep saying that. As long as they say they can beat us, I’m going to keep saying we can beat them.”

The Typhoons are the only undefeated in the Golden Hoops Classic at (6-0) while the Bombers drop to (6-1)

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Typhoons’ Dominic Sablan breaks out towards the hoop creating a fast paced game. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Bombers’ Michael Evans gets through the Typhoons defense and puts in two more points. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Bombers’ Barry Endsley all alone in Typhoons territory puts up two points with this layup. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Bombers’ Michael Evans puts up two points for his team. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Trailing teammate Dominic Sablan on a fast break from a steal, Typhoons’ Sammy Setik puts up the two points from a well-executed pass. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Bombers’ Ledget Glover manages to get a shot off through a high-low double team defense by Typhoons Joe Blas and Dominic Sablan. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Typhoons’ Joe Blas goes for a short two point shot with key heavily defended by the Bombers. (photo by Jesse Castro)

With seconds left in the game Bombers coach takes advantage of the Typhoons’ timeout. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Typhoons’ coach calms her team down after a tough first half and helps them to stay focused on the game. (photo by Jesse Castro)

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