PAGADIAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR — Pagadian got back in the win column, fending off gritty MisOr, 81-75, in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup, Tuesday at the City Gymnasium here.
Holding a precarious two-point lead, Jeric Serrano, Christian Manalo, and Keanu Caballero joined hands. The three made a 7-2 run to give the Explorers a 79-72 advantage with just 1:38 left in the match.
Mac Baracael pumped some life for the Brew Authoritea after draining a triple at the 1:10 mark, 75-79.
But MisOr committed two unforced errors. Joseph Sedurifa and Francis Munsayac slipped on different occasions down the stretch while trying to push the ball and cut to Pagadian’s lead.
“Sobrang natutuwa ako sa nilaro ng team ko especially kapag ganoong dikit puro beterano sa kalaban. But still, my guys kept their composure down the stretch,” said Pagadian head coach Harold Sta. Cruz, who offered the victory to the team’s close friend Benedict Pe’s father who passed away yesterday.
Caballero unloaded 14 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and three assists. The Explorers strengthened their hold at the third seed behind a 4-1 win-loss slate.
Christian Manalo led Pagadian in scoring with 16 points to go with his five steals. Meanwhile, Mark Benitez (10 points, nine rebounds) and Jeric Serrano (11 points, 11 rebounds) manned the paint.
Ronjay Buenafe paced MisOr with 16 points, while Baracael chimed in 14 points and 10 rebounds. Sedurifa flirted with a triple-double, tallying 10 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
Brew Authoritea missed the services of big men Jayson Ballesteros and Mark Sarangay due to day-to-day injuries.
MisOr, who just finished its third game in as many days, dropped to 2-3 – still at sixth place.
Pagadian looks to build another winning streak tomorrow, 2:00PM, against ALZA Alayon. Brew Authoritea gets a two day rest before returning to action on Friday, 6:00PM, against Basilan.
The Scores:
Pagadian 81 – Manalo 16, Caballero 14, Serrano 11, Benitez 10, Dechos 10, Guinitiran 9, Pamaran 6, Acaylar 3, Sunogan 1, Quimado 1, Quilo 0, Bolotaolo 0, Saludsod 0, Demigaya 0, Bautista 0.
MisOr 75 – Buenafe 15, Baracael 14, Sedurifa 10, Cervantes 10, Munsayac 9, Estrella 6, Cawaling 3, Sanga 3, Salcedo 3, Meca 2, Targada 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarterscores: 25-22, 45-40, 60-58, 81-75.
