Pagadian quickly bounced back, defeating MisOr, 81-75, in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup, Tuesday at the Pagadian City Gymnasium.
Clinging to a slim two-point lead, Jeric Serrano, Christian Manalo, and Keanu Caballero connived in a 7-2 run to give the Explorers a 79-72 lead with just 1:38 left in the match.
Mac Baracael gave MisOr some life after sinking a triple at the 1:10 mark, 75-79. However, MisOr committed two unforced errors, as Joseph Sedurifa and Francis Munsayac slipped down the stretch trying to push the ball and cut to Pagadian's lead.
Caballero tallied 14 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and three assists as the Explorers bolstered their hold of the third seed behind a 4-1 win-loss slate.
Christian Manalo led Pagadian in scoring with 16 points to go with his five steals, while Mark Benitez (10 points, nine rebounds) and Jeric Serrano (11 points, 11 rebounds) manned the paint.
Ronjay Buenafe led MisOr with 16 points, while Baracael added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Sedurifa flirted with a triple-double, tallying 10 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
Brew Authoritea missed the services of big men Jayson Ballesteros and Mark Sarangay due to day-to-day injuries.
MisOr, who just finished its third game in as many days, dropped to 2-3 - good for sixth place. (JNP)