MANILA – Siquijor Mystics erased a 19-point deficit to score a 105-100 victory over Dumaguete Warriors in the Visayas leg of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on Saturday night at the Civic Center in Alcantara, Cebu.
Down 38-19 in the opening half, the Mystics played catch up almost the entire game before taking the lead at 96-95 with over seven minutes in the game on a layup by Desmore Alcover.
The Warriors briefly regained the lead but the Mystics grabbed it instantly after three free throws and a triple by Ryan Buenafe. The lead grew to 105-97 for the Mystics late in the game on a three-pointer by Gene Belleza.
Buenafe finished the match with 24 points including eight points in the fourth quarter, as the Mystics bounced back from a 66-46 loss to KCS-Mandaue on Friday to tie its record to 1-1.
The match was also a bounce-back for the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles star Buenafe after being held scoreless in their defeat to Mandaue.
“I told him na kailangan kita dito. Isa ka sa mga faces ng Siquijor Mystics. Kailangan maramdaman ka ng team. Kung hindi man sa points, dapat sa assists, sa rebounds, sa buong laro,” said Siquijor head coach Joel Palapal on Buenafe.
Alcober added double-double 22 points and 11 rebounds; Miguel Castellano also notched a double-double 13 points and 12 boards; Belleza and Juan Aspiras registered 11 points apiece for Siquijor.
Ronald Roy and James Regalado led Dumaguete (0-1) in scoring with 18 points each while Jaybie Mantilla tallied 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
Meanwhile, ARQ Builders-Lapu-Lapu City Heroes (1-0) had a great start to its VisMin Super Cup campaign following a 75-61 domination over Tabogon Voyagers (0-1). Dawn Ochea and Reed Juntilla had 12 points each for Heroes.
MJAS Zenith-Talisay City (1-0) lived up to their lofty billing as a team to watch as they crushed Tubigon Bohol (0-1), 104-66. Patrick Cabahug spearheaded the attack for Talisay City with 22 points.
BOX SCORE:
SIQUIJOR 105 – Buenafe 24, Alcober 22, Castellano 13, Belleza 11, Aspiras 11, Penaflor 9, Gooc 5, Tangcay 4, J. Buenafe 2, Rodriguez 2, Quiro 2.
DUMAGUETE 100 – Regalado 18, Roy 18, Mantilla 15, Monteclaro 12, Doligon 11, Nacpil 11, Velasquez 6, Gabas 5, Aguilar 4, Ramirez 0, Gonzalgo 0, Porlares 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
23-38, 60-70, 82-92, 105-100./PN
