It was Jeckster Apinan (left) who sank the game winner for Makati on Thursday night. MPBL

Jeckster Apinan finally felt how good it is to play hero on Thursday night.

Getting the ball from an inbound, Apinan used his elongated 6-foot-5 frame to sneak in a layup with three seconds left that lifted the Makati Skyscrapers to a 99-98 squeaker over the Manila Stars and a share of the lead in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at Ynares Center in Antipolo.

“Never pa akong nagging hero throughout my career,” said the 31-year-old Apinan, a former Jose Rizal University Heavy Bomber who suited up once for Kia Picanto in the PBA.

As the Skyscrapers bench celebrated, Manila’s Reil Cervantes unloaded a desperation jumper that was way off.

It was an unexpected meltdown for Manila, which led by as many as 16 points, 64-48, in the third quarter only to crumble under the weight of Makati’s three-pronged offense.

Apinan scored a game-high 24 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, Cedrick Ablaza added 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, while Philip Paniamogan chipped in 21 points for the Skyscrapers, who tied the Navotas Clutch at 2-0 in the North division.

With 6 seconds to go, Aris Dionisio went to the charity stripe but could only split his 2 free throws to push Manila ahead, 98-97.

Though smaller, the Skyscrapers of Coach Cholo Villanueva ruled the boards, 35-23, over the Stars of Coach Philip Cezar.

Manila, which dropped to 1-1, got 24 points from Chris Bitoon, 17 from Cervantes, 15 from Adrian Celada, 12 from John Lopez, and 11 from Gayford Rodriguez.

In the second game, the Pasay Voyagers found their range in the fourth quarter to subdue the Rizal Crusaders, 87-81, and level their slate at 1-1.

The Crusaders, being supported by Xentro Mall, tumble to the cellar at 0-2.

Crusaders Coach Cholo Martin drew balanced offensive from Shaquille Alanes with 17 points, Roberto Bartolo 13, Jaypee Belencio 12, Jan Jamon 11, Yvan Ludovice 10, and Bobby Balucanag 10.

On Saturday, the regional league founded by Sen. Manny Pacquiao goes to the Valenzuela Astrodome. The San Juan Knights and Bulacan Kuyas, both 1-0, part ways in the 6 p.m. opener, followed by the Valenzuela (0-1)-Basilan (0-1) tussle at 8 p.m.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.

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