IPIL, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY — Von Lloyd Dechos sank the go-ahead triple to lift Pagadian against Petra Cement-Roxas in overtime, 82-80, in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Leg at the Provincial Gymnasium here, Thursday.
Down by a point in the last minute, homegrown player Dechos drained a three-pointer from the right corner to put the Explorers in the lead for good.
Pagadian had four chances to extend its lead, though. But Keanu Caballero and Jeric Serrano missed all their free throws, setting up one last chance for Roxas.
In the last play of the match, veteran Chito Jaime caught the ball in the corner. He launched a three, but it rimmed out to give the Explorers the victory.
Knotted at 68 with 3.5 ticks left in the fourth period, Vanguard JK Casiño threw a triple from the right wing to send the game to an extra period, but to no avail.
“Actually, isa sa mga shooters ko si Dechos. Kaya talagang may green light sa akin ‘yon. Basta ‘pag na-open talaga’, sabi ko sa mga point guard ko i-recognize ‘yung mga shooters,” said Pagadian head coach Harold Sta. Cruz
Caballero and John Edros Quimado led Pagadian with 12 points apiece in the game plagued by a power shortage. The outage lasted for 12 minutes, at the 1:57 mark of the second quarter.
Also chipping in 10 markers each were Dechos, Christian Manalo, and Rich Guinitiran.
Veterans Jhong Bondoc and Leo Najorda both delivered 15 points. However, the former fouled out of the game with 40.8 ticks left in the fourth frame.
The Explorers will take on Zamboanga City on Tuesday, 1 pm. Meanwhile, the Vanguards target their first win on Sunday when they fight Clarin at 3 pm.
The Scores:
Pagadian 82 – Quimado 12, Caballero K. 12, Guinitaran 10, Manalo 10, Dechos 10, Villaver 8, Serrano 7, Acaylar 5, Saludsod 3, Demigaya 2, Pamaran 2, Benitez 1, Bolotaolo 0, Caballero R. 0, Divas 0.
Roxas 80 – Najorda 15, Bondoc 15, Sta. Ana 14, Reyes 13, Castro 7, Jaime 6, Velasco 2, Elmejrab 2, Camacho 2, Casino 2, Deles 2, Intic 0, Rifarial 0, Templo 0, Pasia 0.
Quarterscores: 14-20, 35-38, 58-54, 68-68, 82-80.
