ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR –Mindanao kings Jumbo Plastic-Basilan moved on the verge of sweeping the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup season, Thursday.
This as the Peace Riders rallied past KCS-Mandaue, 96-91, to take a 2-0 advantage in the Southern Finals here at the Pagadian City Gymnasium.
Basilan looks to complete its domination in Game Three, tomorrow at 6 pm.
Chris Bitoon’s layup in the waning seconds of the third period capped a 14-5 Basilan blast to enter the fourth with a 10-point lead, 75-65.
But KCS fought with a 10-0 spurt topped by a Joseph Nalos deuce to cut the lead down to 81-83 with 5:14 to go in the match.
The Peace Riders, though, had one last push in them. Michael Mabulac, Jay Collado, and Hesed Gabo connived for an 8-0 run to restore order with 2:31 remaining, 91-81.
The two squads then just traded baskets to give Basilan the 2-0 series lead.
“It was an ugly win, but a win is a win. ‘Yung KCS they played with character and they showed so much perseverance today,” said Basilan head coach Jerson Cabiltes.
Jonathan Uyloan topscored for the Peace Riders with 19 points on a 5-of-10 clip from deep, to go with four steals, two rebounds, and two assists.
Collado added 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Mabulac had a huge double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds.
Jong Baloria also chipped in 11 points and six rebounds.
Rhaffy Octobre bounced back from a scoreless Game One, punching in 27 points on an ultra-efficient 9-of-13 clip, alongside six rebounds, and four assists for Mandaue.
Gileant Delator, Shaq Imperial, and Phil Mercader also chimed in 12 points apiece.
The Scores:
Basilan 96 – Uyloan 19, Collado 17, Mabulac 13, Baloria 11, Bitoon 9, Juico 8, Gabo 7, Balucanag 6, Siruma 4, Taganas 2, Manalang 0.
Mandaue 91 – Octobre 27, Delator 12, Imperial 12, Mercader 12, Nalos 6, Roncal 5, Gastador 4, Castro 4, Soliva 3, Sorela 3, Cachuela 3, Bregondo 0.
Quarterscores: 15-20, 46-43, 75-65, 96-91.
