ALCANTARA -- The KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue scored their fifth win in a row with a 75-66 victory over the struggling ARQ Builders Lapu-Lapu Heroes in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on Friday, April 23, at the Alcantara Civic Center in Cebu.
KCS led from start to finish but still had to endure some tense moments in the endgame after ARQ came roaring back. Trailing 14-36 midway through the second stanza and 57-72 in the latter part of the payoff period, ARQ unleashed a 9-0 run capped by an and-one by Reed Juntilla to pull within six, 66-72, with 1:06 left.
ARQ had a shot to come closer as they gained possession but Monbert Arong threw an errant outlet pass that put the brakes on their comeback attempt.
"Great execution and everybody is doing their job. We followed the game plan and it paid off," said KCS assistant coach Jabby Bautista. "Though may lapses sa endgame but still the defense won it for us."
Mandaue put the defensive shackles on the Heroes right from the get-go, holding the Heroes to a 2-of-19 shooting clip in the first quarter while dropping 27 points, 27-7.
Dyll Roncal was hyper-efficient for KCS-Mandaue, making all but two of his nine attempts to finish with 14 points.
Michole Solera also breached double digits with 10 markers, on top of three boards and two assists.
Al Francis Tamsi drained three triples for nine points as ARQ-Mandaue strengthened its hold of the second spot behind a 5-1 win-loss record.
"Good thing na nangyayari yung mga ganon situations that the other team is making a run para the team will know what to do if mangyari ulit sa next games," added Bautista.
The Heroes, who played their fourth game in as many days, was led by Reed Juntilla with 18 markers, including 12 in the fourth period.
Dawn Ochea just missed a double-double with nine points and 14 rebounds as ARQ slipped to 3-4, and into a tie with Tabogon.
KCS-Mandaue looks to hand MJAS Zenith-Talisay their first loss of the season on Saturday during the main game at 8 p.m., while ARQ Lapu-Lapu aims to get back at the winning column against Dumaguete at 5 p.m.
The Scores:
KCS-Mandaue (75)—Roncal 14, Solera 10, Tamsi 9, Cachuela 8, Mercader 7, Bonganciso 6, Imperial 5, Octobre 5, Delator 4, Mendoza 4, Soliva 3, Castro 0.
ARQ Lapu-Lapu (66)—Juntilla 18, Ochea 9, Tangkay 9, Lusdoc 9, Minguito 7, Arong M. 7, Arong F. 4, Galvez 2, Berame 1, Mondragon 0, Solis 0, Abad 0.
Quarterscores: 27-7, 44-30, 60-44, 75-66.
(JNP)