MANILA, 12 November 2007 — Faced with a game-winning situation for the first time in its existence, Welcoat didn’t do bad at all.

Nic Belasco dropped a three-pointer at the buzzer last night and the Dragons passed a true character test by posting a 126-125 overtime victory over powerhouse Talk ‘N Text in the Philippine Cup eliminations at the Cuneta Astrodome.

“I’ve never been in this situation before (with Welcoat),” coach Leo Austria said. “I don’t know what to say. God gave us a good game.” That three-pointer was actually the 29th in the game for the Dragons, who re-established the new all-time mark by breaking the old standard of 28 jointly held by Presto Tivoli and Ginebra in 1991 and Presto and Alaska two years before.

During those games, Presto had a young, left-handed gunslinger in the lineup named Allan Caidic.

Jimmy Alapag had given the Phone Pals a 125-123 lead with 9.5 seconds to go after two free throws off a Froilan Baguion foul.

Austria didn’t call for time and Denver Lopez flicked a short pass to Belasco, who canned the game-winning under extreme pressure from Mac Cardona as the Dragons won for the second time in six tries.

The loss was the third in seven games for the Phone Pals, who have been on a roller-coaster ride in the tournament - winning impressively the night before and then suffering a dip in form the next game.

“All I asked of the players (before the game) was to show how big their hearts are,” Austria added. “Tonight they showed their true worth and it makes me proud to be in a team with these guys.” Belasco, who was signed barely two weeks before the start of the tournament after being acquired in a trade with Alaska , showed the stuff he is made of and the take-charge skills for what he was acquired for.

He went on to finish with 20 points like Baguion, the peppery point guard. No. 1 rookie pick Joe Devance scattered 27 points and 13 rebounds, showing how great he could be against one of the tallest and beefiest teams in the league.

Alapag also finished with 27 and Cardona 21 to lead the Phone Pals, who also got 16 points from Harvey Carey and 12 from rookie Yousif Aljamal. Asi Taulava and Don Allado both scattered 11 and Ren-Ren Ritualo was the seventh Phone Pal in double digits with 10.

Alaska, meanwhile, tied the Phone Pals in third spot at 4-3 after pounding out a 95-89 victory over Red Bull.

Reynel Hugnatan scored 18 points and Willie Miller and Mike Cortez had key three-pointers in the game’s most critical stages to lift the Aces, who have now won four of their last five games opening up 0-2.

“I’m pleased with the way we performed tonight, though this was not the prettiest way to win,” said Alaska ‘s Tim Cone. “We showed great character against a high-energy type team and that a good sign considering the tough loss we came from.” Alaska had a 64-62 entering the fourth period before successive Miller treys sparked Alaska to a 76-69 advantage heading into the final four minutes. Miller scored eight of his 15 points in the period. Mike wound up with 17 points and had a triple after Red Bull came within four with two minutes left in the game.

Cyrus Baguio 27 points and Carlo Sharma finished with 13 for red Bull, which dropped to a level 3-3.