THE KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue tightened their defense in the fourth period to pull away from the Siquijor Mystics and grab the win, 66-46, in the main game of opening day in the Visayas leg of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Cup at the Alcantara Civic Center on Friday night, April 9.
Mandaue led by 20 early but saw their lead dwindle to as little as five, 42-37, late in the third canto. However, KCS got their act together in the payoff period where they held the Mystics to a mere five points to snatch the win.
Far Eastern University products Gryann Mendoza and Al Francis Tamsi led Mandaue with 17 and 12 points, respectively.
Up by just eight early in the fourth, Tamsi sparked the breakaway with by scoring five of the next seven points that put KCS in front by 15, 59-44, with 4:30 left in the game.
KCS head coach Mike Reyes said they had a lot of trouble with Siquijor’s crafty players.
“Minamama kami lahat eh,” said Reyes, who added that their defense or lack thereof was just as much to blame as Siquijor’s proficiency in the shaded lane.
“Nagkakamali kami sa defense but we adjusted and ginawa nila ang dapat gawin. The right helpers came and we started fronting the post and that’s when we were able to pull away,” noted Reyes, who steered the Southwestern University-Phinma Cobras to the Cesafi men’s basketball crown in 2019.
Miguel Castellano was the lone player to score in double-figures for Siquijor with 14 points to go with eight boards and two assists. Team skipper and former Ateneo star Ryan Buenafe was held scoreless in more than eight minutes of action.
THE SCORES
KCS-Mandaue (66) Mendoza 17, Tamsi 12, Octobre 9, Delator 6, Soliva 4, Solera 4, Mercader 3, Roncal 3, Imperial 3, Bregondo 3, Bonganciso 2, Cachuela 0, Exciminiano 0, Nalos 0, Castro 0
Siquijor (46) Castellano 14, Peñaflor 8, Rodriguez 6, Aspiras 5, J. Buenafe 3, Belleza 3, Alcober 3, Quiro 2, Gooc 2, R. Buenafe 0, Tangcay 0, Sereño 0, Calomot 0
Quarterscores: 17-7, 34-20, 48-41, 66-46
(JNP)