Television MBS | Radio network DWXL | |
Dates July 24 - August 2, 1980 | ||
The 1980 PBA Open Conference Finals was the best-of-5 basketball championship series of the 1980 PBA Open Conference, and the conclusion of the conference's playoffs.
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U/Tex Wranglers wins their 2nd PBA title with a 3-2 series victory over Toyota Tamaraws. The deciding fifth game became known as the "last 16 seconds" when U/Tex wiped out a four-point lead by Toyota in regulation and forced the game into overtime.
Game 5
Francis Arnaiz' go-ahead layup gave Toyota a 94-90 edge with 16 seconds left in regulation. The Tamaraws were on their way of clinching the title when a series of mental lapses allowed the Wranglers to come back, with still three fouls away from the penalty, the Tamaraws allowed import Aaron James to drive unmolested towards the basket, a timeout was called by Toyota coach Fort Acuna with time down to 11 seconds. As the Tamaraws inbounded, the Wranglers went on a press and anticipated the play, Glenn McDonald intercepted the ball with five seconds to go and was fouled by Arnaiz going to the hoop with two seconds remaining in regulation. McDonald calmly sank the two free throws to extend the game into overtime.
A see-saw battle ensued in the extension period with both teams obviously feeling the championship pressure. Bogs Adornado converted on a long attempt with 1:25 left in the ballgame, which later proved to be the winning basket as both teams would commit a series of misses until the final buzzer sounded.
Rosters
(*) Import