PAGADIAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR — Zamboanga Sibugay entered the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Challenge win column after outlasting Kapatagan in 2OT, 89-83, Wednesday at the Pagadian City Gymnasium here.
Buffalos’ gritty forward Richard Kwong opened the second extra period with back-to-back baskets. He then gave his side a four-point lead, 75-71.
Then the Anak Mindanao Warriors responded with a 15-5 run, capped by Michole Sorela’s triple and a layup. They took an 86-80 lead with 34.8 ticks left to seal the hard-earned win.
“Gusto talaga namin kunin itong first win kasi hindi na kami pwede matalo for third straight kasi talagang mababaon kami. ‘Yun ang naging motivation namin para makuha ito,” said Zamboanga Sibugay head coach Arnold Oliveros.
Kapatagan’s Mark Daanoy drained a one-hander off an Edrian Lao dish to knot the game at 71 with 8.4 ticks left in the first overtime. Then Joco Tayongtong and Daanoy traded misses to force a second OT.
Tied at 66, Tayongtong attempted a triple but to no avail. That let Kapatagan throw a full-court pass to Gayford Rodriguez which could have been the game-winner. But the ball was still in his hands when the buzzer went off to send the game to OT.
Zamboanga Sibugay, who played for the third consecutive day, was led by Shaq Imperial’s 20 points, six rebounds, and three steals.
Jan Jamon buried four treys en route to 15 points with four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks for a complete statline, while Sorela finished with 12 points.
The Warriors improved their win-loss record to 1-2 while the Buffalos slipped to 0-2.
Garexx Puerto carried the Kapatagan with 20 points and nine rebounds. Daanoy and Rodriguez got 10 points apiece.
The triumvirate of Rodriguez, Edrian Lao, and Jonel Bonganciso shot a combined 8-of-33 from the field for just 26 points.
Both squads will return in action tomorrow. The Warriors will play for the fourth straight day, battling Roxas at 2:00 PM. Meanwhile, the Buffalos will face Iligan at 4:00 PM.
The Scores:
Zamboanga Sibugay 89 – Imperial 20, Jamon 15, Sorela 12, Penaredondo 9, Caunan 8, Dumapig 6, Foronda 6, Tayongtong 4, Reyes 4, Octobre 2, Gayosa 2, Camacho 1, Pasia 0, Lacastesantos 0.
Kapatagan 83 – Puerto 20, Daanoy 10, Rodriguez 10, Lao 8, Bonganciso 8, Bersabal 6, Ariar 6, Kwong 6, Saga 5, Torres 2, Sollano 1, Igot 1, Sala 0.
Quarterscores: 16-23, 33-34, 53-57, 66-66, 71-71, 89-83.
