MANILA – Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders clinched the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao leg crown at the expense of Petra Cement-Roxas Vanguards, 89-70, in Game 2 of the finals on Monday at the Pagadian City Gymnasium.
Mindanao leg’s Most Valuable Player, Hesed Gabo, bannered the Peace Riders with 13 points, three assists, and two rebounds, while Michael Juico added 12 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
Chris Bitoon, Jonathan Uyloan, and Juneric Baloria also hit double-figures with 10 points apiece for the Peace Riders, which maintained its unblemished slate after sweeping their eight elimination-round matches and two finals games.
For ruling the Mindanao leg, the Peace Riders earned the right to represent the island and face the Visayas leg winner KCS-Mandaue in the VisMin Super Cup best-of-five showdown starting today. The squad will also take P500,000, while the Vanguards will not go home empty-handed with their P100,000 prize.
“Talagang napakasarap nitong championship na ito, kasi nandito ka lang sa liga during a pandemic, you’re one of the fortunate na,” Peace Riders head coach Jerson Cabiltes said.
Unlike their first nine matches, the Peace Riders struggled on offense early as the count was knotted at 16-all after the opening quarter and trailed 32-34 at the half.
However, the Peace Riders rallied at the onset of the third quarter behind Gabo, Juico, and Bitoon for a 67-53 lead, which swelled to 80-53 with over five minutes remaining. Their rampage continued until the fourth round, allowing them to snatch the crown.
Former PBA player Leo Najorda tallied 15 points, while James Castro scored 13 points and five rebounds but had six turnovers for the Vanguards, which played without Jordan Sta. Ana due to a left knee strain.
BOX SCORE:
BASILAN 89 – Gabo 13, Juico 12, Uyloan 10, Bitoon 10, Baloria 10, Balucanag 7, Taganas 6, Mabulac 6, Manalang 6, Collado 5, Latip 3, Bringas 1, Saliddin 0, Hallare 0, Siruma 0.
ROXAS 70 – Najorda 15, Castro 13, Camacho 8, Jaime 6, Rifarial 5, Templo 5, Reyes 4, Bondoc 4, Intic 3, Elmejrab 3, Pasia 2, Deles 2, Velasco 0, Casino 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
16-16, 32-34, 67-53, 89-70./PN
