PHILADELPHIA -- The storied Philadelphia Phobia franchise rose to the occasion once more, besting the highly favored visitors from Oklahoma City in an overtime contest for the ages.
The third and final game of this semifinals will take place in Oklahoma City, where the Lariats soundly thrashed Philly 97-68 in Game 1.
This elimination contest was nip and tuck throughout and finally came down to two huge overtime plays near the end of the game.
With the score tied 86-86, Philadelphia small forward Gabba Penton tipped in a missed shot for what turned out to be the winning basket.
Then, with four time units remaining and Oklahoma City in control, T.Kanes Masterson of Philadelphia stepped in front of the Lariat's Lemon Jell-o and drew a clutch and gutsy charging foul. From there, Philly ran out the clock, dealing Oklahoma City only its second loss of the season.
The game went to overtime when league MVP Naf Naf of Oklahoma City missed a 3-point shot that would have given his team the lead with 2 time units remaining. But Naf Naf was bailed out by fellow rookie Mel A. Noma of Philadelphia, who fouled him. A 58 percent free thrower on the season, Naf Naf made both throws, tying the game 84-84. Noma missed a trey at the horn and the game went into overtime.
20-plus GVP performances
-- The 12-for-12 shooting percentage record by Mable Reed of Milwaukee stood for 25 seasons before being equaled by Dis Reflexia of Seattle yesterday. Then, along comes the big 7-footer, Q-Bert McGuffin of Philadelphia, who ties that mark again in the very next game. The MVP of this Game, McGuffin tied for game-high scoring honors with 26 points and game-high rebounding honors with 7, adding a pair of assists in an impressive display.
-- Philadelphia's rookie guard Mel A. Noma led everyone in assists with 5, scored 15 points and nabbed 3 rebounds.
-- T.Kanes Masterson of Philadelphia had 17 points, 4 boards and took that big charge in overtime.
-- Small forward Gabba Penton of Philadelphia, playing in what could have been his last game ever, came up large with 21 points, scoring his team's last points in both regulation and overtime. He also had 6 boards and 2 assists as well as 1 block.
-- Rookie point guard Naf Naf of Oklahoma City had his usual brilliant game, tying for high-point honors with 26, including the two free throws that put the game into overtime. He added 3 assists and 1 rebound.
-- Veteran two guard Lemon Jell-o of Oklahoma City continued his thieving ways with a game-high 3 steals, knocked in 13 points, grabbed 3 boards and assisted 3 times.
-- Lariats rookie forward Walter Sobchack had 10 points, tied for game-high in boards with 7, assisted 4 times and blocked 1 shot.
NEXT: The finale of this semi finals series as the teams travel to Oklahoma City.
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