PAGADIAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR—A four-hour delay due to power outage and a brawl could not stop Zamboanga Sibugay Amin Mindanao from nabbing the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Challenge crown.
The Warriors knocked out BYB Kapatagan in overtime, 89-80, to complete their two-game sweep of the Finals, Friday at the Pagadian City Gymnasium here.
Besides the championship, Zamboanga Sibugay also won P500,000 after a surprise announcement by Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas.
“We waited until Game Two to announce it as a gift for the players,” said Mascariñas, a native of Butuan City. “This is our gift to the players this Christmas.”
Jaybie Mantilla was named Finals MVP after averaging 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 steals, and 2.5 assists in two matches.
This afternoon, he dropped 18 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, and three assists.
“Since na-cancel ‘yung game last night sinabihan ko ‘yung players ko to stay focused and hungry,” said Anak Mindanao Warriors head coach Arnold Oliveros.
Ahead by just a point in extra period, Jan Jamon threw a triple and swished it to give Zamboanga Sibugay a four-point lead with 2:15 to go, 84-80.
Then in the ensuing play, Mantilla drained a booming trey at the top of the key for the dagger with 1:34 remaining, 87-80.
Kapatagan was held field goal-less in overtime with a free throw by Jonel Bonganciso their lone conversion.
The Warriors climbed back from an eight-point hole midway through the fourth quarter with 11 straight points, capped by Shaq Imperial’s three-pointer to give his side a three-point margin, 79-76, with 18.6 seconds left.
But Jun Daanoy answered back with his own version on the other end to knot the match at 79 with 11.6 ticks to go.
With a chance to win the game, Mantilla threw a wild shot to no avail. Enrique Caunan was there for the offensive board, but he missed the point-blank shot that could have won the game.
“Since nag start kami dito ang dami naming sacrifices kaya ngayong nasa dulo na kami, laban na talaga whatever it takes,” said Oliveros.
A brawl ensued at the 4:31 mark of the second quarter after a physical rebounding battle between Edrian Lao and Cris Dumapig, where the latter elbowed the former which resulted in a brawl.
Gayford Rodriguez, Richmond Bersabal (in street clothes), and Michole Sorela, along with Lao and Dumapig, were all thrown out of the match due to their participation in the brawl.
Jamon topscored for the Warriors with 25 points and four steals, while Sorela had an early heater with 12 points.
KD Ariar led the Buffalos with 21 points and four rebounds, while Garexx Puerto had 20 points, all in the first half, and nine rebounds.
Kapatagan did not go home empty-handed, getting P100,000 from Chooks-to-Go as well. Zamboanga Sibugay also donated P100,000 to the Buffalos as most players of the runner-up are from Cebu, heavily damaged by typhoon Odette.
The Scores:
Zamboanga Sibugay 89 – Jamon 25, Mantilla 18, Sorela 12, Octobre 10, Imperial 9, Foronda 5, Acain 4, Caunan 2, Pasia 2, Lacastesantos 0, Dumapig 2, Bangcoyan 0.
Kapatagan 80 – Ariar 21, Puerto 20, Bonganciso 12, Kwong 7, Daanoy 5, Igot 4, Sollano 4, Delfinado 4, Manatad 3, Lao 0, Rodriguez 0.
Quarterscores: 19-24, 38-46, 64-67, 79-79, 89-80.
