IT was a fighting draw.

Robert Bolick completed a unique five-point play in the final 17.8 seconds to lead Team Mark Barroca to a thrilling come-from-behind 140-140 draw against Team Japeth in PBA All-Star Game before an overflow crowd at the University of St. La Salle gymnasium in Bacolod City.

The NLEX star scored 10 of his 13 points in the final quarter, including two pressure-packed baskets from the four-point area.

The second one, which he sank while getting a foul from Calvin Oftana was the turning point.

The former San Beda University star calmly hit the bonus free throw to tie the score and cap an amazing comeback by Team Mark from as much as a 32-point deficit.

“Akala ko wala na talaga kami. Thirty seconds, parang lamang pa ata sila ng siyam? E, ganun talaga. Bilog ang bola,” said Bolick, who was voted as Most Valuable Player along with Japeth Aguilar of Team Japeth.

CJ Perez finished with a game-high 39 points, including 28 in the second period, for Team Mark.

Team captain Barroca finished with 18 points, including eight in the final quarter.

Seven-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo added 17 points while rookie Ricci Rivero contributed 16 points, including a couple of dazzling moves to the basket that drew oohs and aahs from the packed crowd.

Roger Pogoy led Team Japeth with 25 points, all of which he scored in the first three quarters.

Marcio Lassiter had 16 of his 24 points in the second period, while Aguilar added 21 points highlighted by two rim-rattling dunks to the basket, in the fourth period.

It was the first draw in the All-Star game since 2017 when Gilas Pilipinas and the PBA Mindanao All-Stars ended up tied at 114-all during the 2017 edition of the extravaganza held in Cagayan de Oro City.

And with the game ending up in a draw, the PBA Board decided to give both teams P150,000 each.

Both Team Japeth and Team Mark were also declared co-winners in the traditional dance contest preceding the All-Star game, earning both teams another P150,000 each.

Actually, PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III noted that in the 2008 staging of the All-Star game also held in Bacolod City, the game likewise ended up in a draw.

But the league heeded the call of the fans to extend it to an overtime period, opening the door for South All-Stars’ 163-158 win over their North counterparts.

Last Saturday, Team Greats made it two in a row against Team Stalwarts, 142-133,

Justin Arana led the way for Team Greats, finishing with 36 points and eight rebounds to emerge as MVP of the Rookies/Sophomores/Juniors All-Stars.

Team Greats also won over Team Stalwarts in last year’s All-Star edition in Passi City, Iloilo, 158-138, in which Arana also belonged to the winning side.

His 36 points is also the most in the Greats vs Stalwarts game since Encho Serrano dropped 40 last year.

The scores:

Team Japeth (140) – Pogoy 25, Lassiter 24, Aguilar 21, Malonzo 17, Tolentino 13, Romeo 11, Lee 9, Newsome 7, Oftana 7, Trollano 2, Pringle 2, Dionisio 2, Ahanmisi 0.
Team Mark (140) – Perez 39, Barroca 20, Abueva 18, Fajardo 17, Rivero 15, Bolick 13, Perkins 9, Tiongson 3, Jalalon 2, Hodge 2, Sangalang 2, Norwood 0, Castro 0, Yap 0, Pinto 0.
Quarterscores: 46-20, 79-68, 111-104, 140-140.