PAGADIAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR — Lester Reyes was a hero Petra Cement-Roxas never knew they needed.
Reyes drained the biggest shot of the night to beat the buzzer for the Vanguards and stun JPS Zamboanga City, 71-69, in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup at the Pagadian City Gymnasium here, Sunday.
With just 5.7 seconds left coming off a timeout, point guard JK Casiño received the ball. He penetrated to the basket and at the last minute, dished it off to Reyes for the lay-in to beat the buzzer.
“Set play talaga namin ‘yun. Kailangan talaga naming i-go hard kasi penalty naman sila. Kahit isang point lang makuha namin, panalo pa rin,” said Roxas head coach Eddie Laure.
That shot by Reyes gave the Vanguards their first win in three tries, going 1-2.
Trailing by nine halfway through the fourth period, Roxas went on an 11-2 blitz — topped by Leo Najorda’s triple — to knot the game at 69-all with 19.7 ticks left.
With a chance to take the lead, JPS’ Gabby Espinas airballed his jump shot as the shot clock expired. That gave Roxas the ball with 5.7 seconds left.
James Castro spearheaded the Vanguards with 17 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and a steal.
Chito Jaime also added a double-double for Roxas with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Reyes the hero finished with eight points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.
Jerwin Gaco turned back the clock with 22 points and nine rebounds as JPS slid to 2-2.
Rudy Lingganay and Med Salim also contributed 13 points apiece. Meanwhile, Espinas got 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Both sides will be back in action tomorrow. JPS will battle MisOr at 2pm. On the other hand, Roxas will collide with winless Iligan at 4pm.
The Scores:
Roxas 71 – Castro 17, Jaime 14, Reyes 8, Bondoc 8, Camacho 8, Casino 8, Najorda 6, Rifaril 2, Sta. Ana 0, Intic 0, Elmejrab 0, Templo 0, Deles 0.
Zamboanga City 69 – Gaco 22, Salim 13, Lingganay 13, Espinas 12, Neypes 2, Yu 2, Belencion 2, Matias 2, Jeruta 1, Ferrer 0.
Quarterscores: 24-14, 40-39, 54-57, 71-69.
