PAGADIAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR — BYB Kapatagan claimed the last Finals ticket, staving off host team Pagadian, 66-56, in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Challenge knockout semis, Monday at the City Gymnasium here.
The third spot Buffalos will face fourth seed Zamboanga Sibugay in the best-of-three Finals starting on Wednesday at 8 pm.
“Hindi ko inisip noong mag umpisa kami dito na makakaabot kami sa Finals. Hindi talaga!” Kapatagan head coach Jaime Rivera said.
Down by two late in the third quarter, the Buffalos closed the period with 10 straight points to regain the lead entering the fourth before adding four more points to create a 12-point lead, 50-38, with 8:03 left on the clock.
Franz Diaz, Charles Pepito, and Glenn Acaylar connived to slice Pagadian’s deficit to just six with 6:15 left, 44-50.
But Garexx Puerto and KD Ariar retaliated seven unanswered points to keep Kapatagan afloat the rest of the way, 57-44.
“Sinabihan ko na talaga ‘yung players na hanggang walang buzzer, walang bibitaw kaya ayun namaintain namin ‘yung lead namin,” said Rivera.
Jonel Bonganciso led the Buffalos with 15 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Gayford Rodriguez added 10 points and seven rebounds, while Puerto and Ariar combined for 17 points.
Edzel Mag-isa was the lone Explorer in double figures with 14 points to go with six rebounds.
Pepito and Franz Diaz had eight points apiece while Niño Ibañez tallied seven points.
The Scores:
Kapatagan 66 – Bonganciso 15, Rodriguez 10, Puerto 9, Ariar 8, Lao 7, Daanoy 6, Kwong 4, Sollano 3, Delfinado 2, Igot 2.
Pagadian 56 – Mag-isa 14, Diaz 8, Pepito 8, Ibanez 7, Fuentes 6, Pamaran 4, Acaylar 4, Caballero 3, Demigaya 2, Uri 0, Saludsod 0, Demapilis 0, Dechos 0.
Quarterscores: 15-19, 30-27, 46-38, 66-56.
