The Marikina Shoemasters nearly wasted huge lead but they regained composure at the last stretch to thwart the Quezon Huskers' rally en route to a narrow 73-70 victory. The Shoemasters led by as much as 22 points midway through the third (3rd) quarter but the Quezon Huskers were able to trim the lead to 18, 59-41, at the entering the fourth (4th) quarter.
The momentum, however, changed in the final canto as the Huskers slowly but surely clawed back into the game and were able to inch closer by seven (7) points, 60-73, at the 3:05 mark. From that point, the Huskers mounted a furious 7-nothing run capped by an Al Tamsi triple to tie the game at 70-all at 29:90.
The Marikina Shoemasters, nonetheless, immediately recovered the lead courtesy of a driving layup by RV Berjay. In the next possession, the Huskers had the opportunity to tie but Ximone Sandagon babied his undergoal stab, forcing the Huskers to immediately foul Felipe Chavez.
Chavez split his free throws to extend the Shoemasters' lead to a comfortable three (3) points, 73-70. Alvin Abundo grabbed the missed free throw of Felipe Chavez but he missed the potential game-tying triple at the other end of the court.
With the loss, the Quezon Huskers failed to earn a home-court advantage in their 1st round playoffs series against the South Division defending champions Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines. This means that Quezon will have to fly to Zamboanga to face the Family's Brand Sardines and their hostile crowd.
Reaching the playoffs at their inaugural season is definitely an achievement for the Quezon Huskers. Needless to say, the Huskers are not satisfied with just a playoff appearance and they are aiming for a championshp trophy.