PAGADIAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR — Home team Pagadian eliminated seventh place MFT Iligan in blowout fashion, 105-78, in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Challenge quarterfinals at the Pagadian City Gymnasium here, Saturday.
The Explorers booked a knockout semifinals date with third seed BYB Kapatagan on Monday at 6:30 pm.
The Archangels was able to keep pace with Pagadian in the first half, trailing by just three at the break, 37-40.
But the Explorers launched a lethal third quarter, pouring 30 points while holding Iligan to just 15 to establish a huge 18-point separation, 70-52, entering the fourth.
Not helping to the Archangels’ cause in the payoff period was Lugie Cuyos suffering a left hamstring injury with 9:06 left on the clock.
Pagadian completed the domination in the fourth by outscoring Iligan by nine, 35-26.
“Hindi ko na sila kailangang pagalitan, professional na sila. Basta dumepensa sila, mag box out at huwag maliitin ang kalaban,” Explorers head coach Gherome Ejercito on what he told his players at halftime.
Judel Fuentes led the rout with 19 points founded on five triples to go with five rebounds and four assists.
Charles Pepito continued his uprise with 14 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, and a block, while Edzel Mag-isa got 13 points and eight rebounds.
Christian Uri and CJ Pamaran had 12 points apiece while Keanu Caballero dished out 12 assists.
Eugene Torres got 18 points for the Archangels while Herrald Benedictos notched 14 points and four rebounds.
Junjun Cecilio chipped in 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists in the losing cause.
The Scores:
Pagadian 105 – Fuentes 19, Pepito 14, Mag-isa 13, Uri 12, Pamaran 12, Saludsod 9, Ibanez 8, Caballero 6, Acaylar 5, Diaz 3, Demigaya 2, Quimado 2, Tolentino 0, Baldeo 0, Dechos 0.
Iligan 78 – Torres 18, Benedictos 14, Cecilio 10, Dela Rea 7, Quinga 6, Daguisonan 6, Tagolimot 5, Bernardino 4, Cuyos 4, Aparice 4, Andrade 0, Benitez 0.
Quarterscores: 19-14, 40-37, 70-52, 105-78.
