Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Chito Jaime comes back just in nick of time for Roxas


PAGADIAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR — Old reliables Leo Najorda and Chito Jaime showed up when Petra Cement-Roxas needed them the most.

The two veterans boosted the Vanguards to a 91-84 victory over Zamboanga City, and a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-three semifinals round two of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup.

Roxas trailed almost the whole regulation, but Jaime and Najorda made the shots that matter to send the match to an extra period.

Down 71-75, Jaime was at the right place at the right time for a putback after a miss by Jhong Bondoc.

Then Najorda, in the next possession, drove to the basket, sidestep, and a smooth layup to knot the game at 75-all before forcing a stop on the other end.2021-Chooks-VisMin-Mindanao-SF-2-Roxas-vs-Zamboanga-City-Leo-Najorda-scaled Chito Jaime comes back just in nick of time for Roxas Basketball News VisMin Super Cup  - philippine sports news

“Si Leo kilala naman ng lahat si Leo. Kahit noong naglalaro pa siya sa PBA talagang ayaw magpatalo ng batang ‘yan,” said Vanguards head coach Eddie Laure.

Then in the extra period, the NCAA Season 79 MVP erupted for Roxas’ first seven points on a three, a fadeaway, and a jumper.

The 37-year-old Jaime followed suit with a triple of his own before putting in a layup, 87-81, with 1:09 left to give the Vanguards the comeback win.

“Nagpapasalamat ako na nandiyan si Leo at Chito kasi dinadala talaga nila ‘yung team namin. ‘Yung leadership nila talagang nangingibabaw,” shared Laure.

Jaime left the bubble during the elimination round and missed Roxas’ last three games prior to the playoffs as he was called up by Rain or Shine 3×3 in Manila.

But he returned just in time for the playoffs.

#ReadMore  FEU Lady Tamaraws earn convincing win over UP for share of 3rd

“Gusto munang tapusin ni Chito ang Chooks-to-Go VisMin, then after namin saka siya babalik sa Rain or Shine,” bared Laure.

“Laking pasalamat namin na bumalik si Chito sa team namin kasi malaking difference talaga ang nagagawa niya saka napamahal na rin talaga siya sa team kasi turingan namin dito pamilya talaga.”

More than those big baskets that put Roxas’ one foot in the Mindanao Leg Finals, the two veterans offered much more than that.

It is the experience and composure of the two, considering they’ve been in these kinds of moments, playoff basketball.

“‘Yung experience nila yun naman ang binabayaran sa kanila dito. Kung paano nila dalhin ‘yung mga bata na kakampi,” said the Vanguards head tactician.

But the first-time head coach knows one win is not enough in a best-of-three series, especially against an experienced Zamboanga City squad.

Laure wants to address his team’s slow starts that caused them a lot of energy to claw back in the game.

“Iko-correct namin ‘yung slow start kasi mahirap talaga maghabol ng ganon kalaki. Mas nakakapagod.”

Written By

Just a kid from Cavite trying to make a difference.


You May Also Like

Basketball

GenSan weathered Batangas’ repeated assaults to secure a 61-55 victory on Saturday, forcing a Game 3 decider in their battle for the MPBL (Maharlika...

Basketball

Bacoor squandered a substantial lead and settled for a 91-86 victory against Bacolod in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season on Monday...

Basketball

Encho Serrano sizzled with 27 points as Siomai King defeated the hard-fighting Tiaong Meaksyon 83-76 last Sunday to claim the historic inaugural crown in...

Basketball

Host Tiaong Meaksyon and fancied Siomai King turned back their respective foes last Thursday to forge a finals duel for the inaugural D2 Super...

Basketball

Defending champion Davao Occidental-Cocolife whipped Koponang Lakan ng Bulacan 84-70 last Saturday night for its second straight win in the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super...

Basketball

Jaymar Gimpayan sizzled with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists as Boracay hacked out a 78-74 victory over Koponang Lakan ng Bulacan last...

Basketball

Call it a perfect 10 for San Juan. Rence Nocum and prized forward Michael Calisaan showed the way as the Kings frustrated home team...

Basketball

Bulacan made short work of San Pedro Laguna-ARS 102-69 last Thursday night to extend its winning run to three Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League...

Advertisement