The Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders remained as the last unbeaten team in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup as they defeated the Clarin Sto. Niño, 86-68, on Monday at the Pagadian City Gymnasium.
Basilan kicked off the second half with an 18-7 surge to turn a seven-point lead to a commanding 18-point bulge, 57-39, with 4:28 left in the third period. But Clarin retaliated with 16-5 counter-run, capped by three straight triples by John Wilson, to chop its deficit to just seven, 55-62.
However, the Peace Riders started the fourth frame on fire from deep, going on an 11-3 blitz, capped by three-pointers from Hesed Gabo, Philip Manalang, and Jonathan Uyloan, to bring their lead back to 17, 75-58, with 4:45 left in the game.
The Peace Riders seek an elimination sweep and a straight ticket to the finals when they face Roxas tomorrow, 4 pm. The match is the resumption of the cancelled game last July 13 at the 9:15 mark of the third period with the Vanguards up, 40-39.
Jay Collado paced Basilan's offensive charge with 15 points and five rebounds, while Gabo had a double-double with 12 points and 11 assists. Jong Baloria chipped in 14 points while Uyloan tallied 12 for the Peace Riders, who dominated the bench points, 40-17.
Wilson paced the Sto. Niño with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field, to go with six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Carlo Lastimosa also added 16 points, but took 15 shots, while also having four assists and four steals.
Clarin ended the eliminations at 7-1, good for the second seed. (JNP)