MANILA – Boracay Islanders still punched a ticket to the quarterfinals of the 2022-2023 Pilipinas Super League Dumper Cup despite suffering an 83-70 loss to San Juan Kings on Saturday night at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
With a 9-6 win-loss record, the Islanders will enter the quarterfinals round as the No. 7 seed team and will have a twice-to-win disadvantage against no. 2 ranked Davao Occidental Tigers on Tuesday night.
The Islanders were still hanging around with Kings in the first two quarters as they hang to a slim 44-43 lead before San Juan outscored Boracay, 24-7, in the third quarter to take a 67-51 lead.
The Islanders started the fourth quarter strong via a layup from Jaymar Gimpayan and three straight conversions from Johnsherick Estrada to cut the deficit to 61-70 with over five minutes left.
But San Juan went for the kill with inside connections from Marwin Taywan and Michael Calisaan followed by back-to-back three-pointers from Amiel Cris Soberano to widen the lead to 80-63.
Paolo Javillonar was hailed as the WinZir Super Player of the Game with double-double 10 points and 11 rebounds as the Kings finished the elimination round with a perfect 15-0 win-loss slate.
Calisaan chipped in 10 markers, seven rebounds, one steal and one block, while Egie Boy Mojica also ended with 10 points along with four rebounds, one assists and a steal for the no.1 ranked Kings.
Gimpayan finished with double-double 14 points and 13 rebounds, Mark Cardona added 12 markers, while Estrada and Bryan Faundo contributed 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Islanders.
The Jinino Manansala-mentored Islanders were short handed in the contest with the absence of former PBA cager Rommel Nino Canaleta and Genmar Bragais, who is reportedly to play for Iloilo United Royals in MPBL.
In the second game, Pampanga G. Lanterns (10-5) notched a seat to the quarterfinals round following an 83-81 escape over the Pampanga Royce. Archie Concepcion and Louie Sangalang led the Lanterns with 21 markers apiece.
BOX SCORE:
SAN JUAN 83 – Javillonar 10, Mojica 10, Calisaan 10, Soberano 9, Yu 8, Calahat 7, Taywan 6, Wamar 5, Nocum 5, Panganiban 5, Marquez 5, Ubalde 3, Eguilos 0, Tajonera 0, Martel 0.
BORACAY 70 – Gimpayan 14, Cardona 12, Estrada 11, Faundo 10, Helterbrand 6, Galang 6, Hayes 4, Lasco 4, Penaredondo 3, Sablan 0, Mallari 0, Esguerra 0.
Quarterscores: 24-24, 43-44, 67-51, 83-70./PN
