The Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders crushed the Petra Cement-Roxas Vanguards, 81-69, to take Game One of the best-of-three finals in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Leg championship on Sunday night at the Pagadian City Gymnasium.
Even though the Peace Riders are coming off an 11-day break, they showed no rust whatsoever as they took control of the lead early and never let up until the final buzzer. Basilan looks to clinch the title tomorrow, 5 pm, and gain the right to face Visayas Leg kings KCS-Mandaue in the Southern Finals.
“I’m just happy we followed the game plan. Kahit na nagkaroon kami ng long break, nakita naman dito na we have fresher legs than them so we just kept on pressuring from start to finish,” said Peace Riders head coach Jerson Cabiltes.
Already up by 10 heading to the second half, Basilan limited its rivals to just 13 points while making 21 of their own to erect an 18-point lead, 63-45, entering the fourth period.
Two free throws by Francis Camacho slashed the Vanguards’ deficit to just 12, with 2:08 to go. But it was a case of too little, too late.
Chris Bitoon was the man off the bench for Basilan, unloading 20 points, going 4-of-6 from behind the arc to go with four assists.
Mythical team member Michael Mabulac added 12 points and six rebounds, while Season MVP Hesed Gabo had 10 points, four steals, three rebounds, and three assists.
The Peace Riders capitalized on Roxas’ 22 turnovers, scoring 24 easy points off of those.
Vanguards veterans Leo Najorda and Chito Jaime each dropped 16 points and five rebounds in the losing cause.
MVP finalist James Castro was held to just six points on a 1-of-6 shooting clip. He also committed four turnovers.
The Scores:
Basilan 81 – Bitoon 20, Mabulac 10, Gabo 10, Collado 9, Bringas 6, Juico 5, Taganas 4, Balucanag 4, Baloria 4, Siruma 3, Uyloan 2, Manalang 2, Hallare 0.
Roxas 69 – Najorda 16, Jaima 16, Sta. Ana 8, Castro 6, Camacho 6, Bondoc 5, Elmejrab 4, Casino 4, Reyes 2, Deles 2, Velasco 0, Intic 0, Templo 0, Pasia 0.
Quarterscores: 24-14, 42-32, 63-45, 81-69. (JNP)