PAGADIAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR—MFT Iligan upset Roxas, 80-77, to snap its three-game skid in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Leg, Tuesday at the Pagadian City Gymnasium here.
Iligan played without leading scorers Jack Hoyohoy and Lester Tamayo. The two have already left for the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational.
And without the two, the Archangels played motivated basketball in the upset win.
“As I always say these guys sacrifice a lot kasi ang dami naming struggles on and off the court. Pero 110-percent all-out effort pa rin,” said Iligan head coach Kiko Flores.
Trailing by four, Lugie Cuyos went on a personal 5-0 run, on a triple and a putback. That then towed the Archangels to the lead, 73-72, with 2:48 to go.
Nick Abanto answered back on the other end with a jumper. But Junjun Cecilio regained the lead for Iligan with two stripe shots with 2:09 left, 75-74.
Cuyos, Algeroh Benitez, and playing assistant coach Rendell Dela Rea made five more freebies to seal the deal.
The Archangels improved to 3-8, still at the bottom but still with a chance to move up to the sixth spot.
Dela Rea, 43, had a team-high 19 points – going 4-of-5 from the line – alongside six rebounds.
Cuyos finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Alexis Rivera chipped in 10 points on a perfect 5-of-5 clip.
On the other hand, Marlon Monte paced the Vanguards with 22 points. James Martinez added 13 points, five assists, and four rebounds.
Embons Bonleon chimed in 10 points as Roxas fell to 5-5, still at the fourth spot.
The Archangels will close their elimination round against Zamboanga Sibugay tomorrow at 4 pm. Meanwhile, the Vanguards resume play on Thursday against Basilan BRT.
The Scores:
Iligan 80 – Dela Rea 19, Cuyos 18, Rivera 10, Cecilio 9, Torres 6, Quinga 4, Aparice 4, Benitez 3, Andrade 3, Bernardino 2, Bautista 2, Tagolimot 0, Benedictos 0, Daguisonan 0.
Roxas 77 – Monte 22, Martinez 13, Bonleon 10, Tabi 8, Segura 6, Templo 5, Dela Cruz 5, Abanto 4, Valin 2, Mabigat 2, Basco 0.
Quarterscores: 25-27, 45-46, 55-59, 80-77.
