Down to the wire games were the order of the day at an all-star basketball event on Sunday.

The event, at F.H. Collins in Whitehorse, was organized by the Filipino league (FCBLY-CFSAY-CFAY) and Whitehorse Women’s Basketball League.

The first game featured an above-35 male team versus an older Whitehorse Women’s Team 1.

As was the theme for the night, it was close at the half, with the men leading 41-40 thanks to a basket by the men with only three seconds left in the half.

Jerome Tizon was having a strong game for the men.

The men had a big 25-15 run in the third quarter and led 66-55 with 1:33 left in the third. They took a 70-59 lead into the fourth quarter.

The women came roaring back in the final quarter, pulling to within three, 83-80, on a Jayden Demchuk layup.

Lianne Fordham then sunk two free throws to pull the women within one, 83-82.

The men’s Joesel Rombaoa made an uncontested layup to make the score 85-82.

Following a made free throw, Chrystal Pringle tied it up 85-85 with 54.5 seconds left.

Tizon then came through with two huge baskets – a short jumper to make it 87-85, and a 3-pointer to put the men up 90-85 with only 18.8 seconds left.

The women added a basket at the end, but it wasn’t enough, as the men triumphed 90-87.

The Star spoke with Fordham after the game.

“We just fell short a little bit. The boys gave us a good run. We gave our all.

“We’re the oldest crew here of the ladies. They were the older crew of the Filipino league so it was nice to have that battle together and to show that we still got it.”

Regarding the women’s comeback, Ford said, “We had a lot of heart, a lot of push there. The men were very nice there, encouraging us and egging us on a little bit, so we thought we’d push it and give them a press and try to fight for the win.

“I think our bigs had a lot of inside shots. It was nice to see our post play quite a bit. Their men were outside shooters. A different game than us women are used to, for sure.”

Ford added, “We just love this. We enjoy the camaraderie of it, the love of basketball. It’s a different event for us and something we plan to do forever.”

Rombaoa said the key to the win was getting the ball to Tizon down the stretch.

“I said to spread out and then let them post up, because they were playing man (to man). Somebody was gonna (be left) open.”

Rumbaoa said he told Tizon to be ready for the ball during a late timeout.

He added they were looking froward to playing the women again next year.

Tizon said the women played a strong game.

He led all scorers with 24 points. Rumbaoa added 18 for the men.

Hannah Warrington led the women with 16 points. Demchuk and Pringle chipped in with 14 apiece.

The second game was the Open Division Filipino league team versus a young Whitehorse Women’s league team.

The men led 34-32 after the first quarter, despite Maren Bilsky having a strong game knocking down 3’s.

The women came back strong and took a 58-52 lead into halftime. Jaelyn Minguito had a hot hand for the ladies in the second quarter.

JB New started heating up in the third quarter for the men.

The men took a 76-74 lead into the fourth quarter, with a last-second basket by Minguito keeping it close.

Nico Sarmiento had another strong game for the men, knocking down 3s with ease and helping the men pull away to a 88-81 lead with 6:29 left in the fourth quarter.

They were ahead 92-85 with 3:34 left in the fourth, but the women pulled within three, 92-89, with 36.3 ticks left on the clock.

A women’s free throw made it 92-90 with 11 seconds left.

Then a basket by the women on a rebound tied it at 92-92 with 4.4 seconds left, sending the game to a two-minute overtime.

New came through with a couple of baskets at the end to power the men to a 98-94 victory.

Sarmiento lead all scorers with 29 points.

Alec Tinga contributed 18, and Carl Kho threw in 15 points.

Hayli Deans led the ladies with 21.

Minguito swished in 18 points.

Jayden Demchuk added 16, and Maren Bilsky chipped in with 15 points.

The women’s Jessica Hutton said it was a “really close game. I think we thought it was going to be a pretty competitive game. It was really fast-paced and a lot of fun.”

“I think we had a lot of sharp shooters tonight. We played really good defence and tried to keep in it.”

Hutton added, “We’re just really grateful to get the opportunity to play and we love coming here every year and playing.”

New said, “It was a great game. It was my first time too, which is really great for me. I just played my game and had fun.

“That’s what it’s all about anyway. Just have fun.”

Of the women, New said, “They were good. I didn’t know it was going to be a close game like that.”

As for his hot hand at the end of the game and overtime, New said, “I guess it was just my lucky day.”

As far as Sarimento’s hot shooting, New said, “Nico’s a great player. He always executes when we need him.”

In the Skills Challenge, Carlos Magsucang was the champion. Reychan Giango finished second and Bryan Hermosa came in third.

In the 3-Point Shootout, Arlow Walker was the champ. Alec Tinga was second and Magsucang came in third.

In the final game of the night, the men’s Canada DLeague team beat the Arctic Winter Games men’s team 82-78.

Ralph Hermosa led the Canada team with 14 points. Patrick Yulo and Diego Panganiban chipped in 10 each.

The AWG’s Brit Pagobo led all scorers with 28 points in a losing cause. Miguel Portea added 15 and Jeffries Rumbaoa threw down 10 points.