The buzzer that ended the third quarter still echoed faintly in the charged atmosphere of Dasmariñas Arena, but the crowd's roar was already building — anticipation swelling as the final ten minutes beckoned. The scoreboard read:
Black Mambas 34 — White Rabbits 33
The tension was palpable. Both teams had dug deep, battling with fire and grit, and now it was the moment of reckoning.
Coach Gutierrez's voice cut through the mix as the Black Mambas lined up for the fourth quarter.
"Stay calm. Stay sharp. Play like you've been practicing. Protect what's ours."
Tristan nodded, exhaling deeply, while eyes locked with Marco, Kyle, Gab, and Felix. Every muscle begged for rest, but their hearts pounded with renewed purpose.
10:00 — Quarter Tip-off and Initial Exchanges
The referee's whistle burst sharply.
The White Rabbits won the tip but the Black Mambas were poised defensively.
Samuel Javier darted immediately, orchestrating a fast break, yet Gab met him squarely, cutting off the lane.
Javier attempted a floater, but it rolled off the rim.
Felix pounced on the rebound and wasted no time — flipping a swift outlet to Tristan.
Announcer:
"Start of the fourth and the Mambas show their hunger! Felix snagging that defensive board and igniting the push!"
9:40 — The First Blood
Tristan pushed the ball up court expertly, pulling defenders with his dazzling dribbling.
Marco blasted off the wing, curling sharply.
Tristan zipped a bounce pass inside that split two defenders and hit Marco mid-cut.
Marco, eyes sharp, attacked the rim and floated a soft, arcing layup over the outstretched hand of a defender.
Swish.
Score: Black Mambas 36 — White Rabbits 33
Crowd:
An eruption of cheers and clapping from the Mambas' section.
8:50 — White Rabbits Answer with Tenacity
Javier, undeterred, pushed hard into the paint again, drawing two defenders.
Instead of forcing a shot, he found Leo Santos trailing on a cut and dished a perfect bounce pass.
Santos rose for a clean jumper — the ball sailed true.
Score: Black Mambas 36 — White Rabbits 35
Announcer:
"That's the White Rabbits, folks — never backing down! Santos connecting on a clutch jumper. The lead is razor-thin!"
7:10 — Momentum Swings Fast
The physicality ramped instantly. Felix backed down his defender near the basket, dropped a quick jab step, and powered into a thunderous layup, drawing a foul.
He calmly sank the free throw for a three-point play.
Score: Black Mambas 39 — White Rabbits 35
Coach Gutierrez shouted encouragement from the sideline.
"That's it! Assert dominance in the paint! Control the boards!"
6:30 — Defensive Battle and Hustle Plays
The White Rabbits responded with increased defensive pressure.
Javier trapped Tristan on the sideline, forcing a tough pass that was intercepted by Santos.
Javier, sprinting, pushed for a fast break and threw a lob to Jackson Reyes.
Reyes jammed it home with authority.
Score: Black Mambas 39 — White Rabbits 37
Announcer:
"What a play! The Rabbits showing their explosive capabilities when they find open lanes!"
05:20 — Black Mambas Show Composure
Tristan immediately called for a calm reset.
He ran a series of crisp passes: from himself to Kyle on the wing, then inside to Gab lurking at the high post.
Gab held his defender, then fed a cutting Marco for a wide-open look.
Marco's three-pointer found nothing but net.
Score: Black Mambas 42 — White Rabbits 37
Crowd:
Black Mambas' fans erupted, some standing, others waving banners wildly.
4:40 — White Rabbits Still in the Fray
The White Rabbits refused to wilt.
Javier sliced through defense again, drawing a foul on Kaneto, sending him to the free-throw line.
Kaneto made both free throws.
Score: Black Mambas 42 — White Rabbits 39
3:20 — Key Sequence: The Black Mambas Take Control
Felix posted up aggressively, turning back a defender and dumping a powerful bounce pass to Tristan trailing on the break.
Tristan caught, pulled up at the free-throw line, and drained a smooth jumper.
Felix followed immediately with a strong offensive rebound and put-back.
Score: Black Mambas 46 — White Rabbits 39
Announcer:
"Looks like the Mambas are pouring on the pressure! That inside presence of Felix is proving impossible to contain."
2:50 — Rabbits Fight Desperately
Leo Santos drained a step-back three-pointer to stem the tide.
The crowd breathed with the game.
1:30 — Final Minute Intensity
The Mambas leaned into their physical advantages.
Gab swept a ball loose from Santos and quickly pushed the transition.
Tristan took the ball, split two defenders, and lobbed a perfect alley-oop to Felix, who slammed home emphatically.
The crowd roared, sensing victory.
Score: Black Mambas 49 — White Rabbits 42
0:55 — White Rabbits Near Last Attempt
Javier drove ferociously and kicked out to Santos for a three.
The shot rattled out and the ball bounced out of bounds—Black Mambas possession.
0:00 — The Final Buzzer
The Black Mambas rushed to celebrate as the buzzer blared.
Scoreboard:
Black Mambas 49 — White Rabbits 42
The players embraced breathlessly on the court, smiles breaking through sweat and exhaustion.
Coach Gutierrez's eyes glistened as he approached.
"We did it, but remember — that was a battle. We earned this win with hard work, discipline, and fight."
Tristan, sweat dripping, looked at his teammates.
"This is what we're about — the fight, the heart, and the family."
Marco grinned, slapping Tristan's back.
"No doubt. From here on, it's about building momentum."
Gab nodded, wrapping an arm around Felix's shoulder.
"We faced one of the toughest in the league and stood tall."
Felix chuckled, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Feels good. But we got to get ready — the tournament isn't over yet."
The announcer's voice echoed across the arena.
"What a thrilling contest here in Dasmariñas! The Black Mambas held off the relentless White Rabbits to take this one 49 to 42. Both teams battled hard, but the Mambas' composed playmaking and dominant inside presence gave them the edge."
Audience members exchanged excited chatter:
"Did you see that alley-oop from Tristan to Felix? Pinpoint accuracy!" exclaimed a fan in pure black.
"I love how the Rabbit's never gave up—those three-point shots kept it close!" another shouted from the white-clad section.
The arena was alive with respect and exhilaration on both sides.
The Black Mambas gathered, jerseys damp, spirits high.
Coach paced slowly.
"Remember, this win is one step on a long path. Every quarter, every possession counts… but you showed tonight what teamwork and heart means."
Tristan broke the silence.
"This squad is special. We pushed each other harder, covered for each other's mistakes. That's how we win."
Marco added with a smirk, "And pressured the hell out of them. But it's the defensive stops and the hustle plays that made the difference."
Gab smiled broadly.
"It's more than skill — it's trust and will. We knew when to push, when to calm down."
Felix, ever steady, nodded.
"We have the tools; now we refine the edge."
Coach looked around the room, satisfied.
"Let's rest up, review the tapes, and prepare for what's next. This season is ours to shape."
Later, as the team celebrated and joked softly, Tristan sat alone for a moment.
His mind raced through the game — the plays, the pressure, the moments of doubt—and the bursts of brilliance.
He whispered to himself with unyielding resolve:
"We fight not for glory alone, but for each other. We rise, together."
The Black Mambas had claimed a crucial victory. But as Dasmariñas Arena emptied and the night settled, their journey had only just begun.
The road to championship glory awaited — and the Black Mambas would meet it head-on.