The final minutes were a masterpiece of tension. The lead changed hands four times. With 30 seconds left, the score was tied 76-76. Sannoh had the ball, a chance to hold for the last shot.
Fujima, cool as ever, ran the clock down. With 10 seconds left, he initiated the play, finding Hanagata on the block against Renz—a clear mismatch. Hanagata went to work, backing Renz down.
But Teo, reading the play, left his man and lunged into the lane as Hanagata went up for his shot. He didn't go for the block. He went for the strip.
His hand connected perfectly, slapping the ball cleanly from Hanagata's grasp. Riki dove on the loose ball and immediately called a timeout. 3.2 seconds remained.