THE Jumbo Plastic-Basilan completed a sweep of the elims with an 85-64 win over the Petra Cement-Roxas Vanguards in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup to earn an outright spot in the Mindanao leg finals.
"We are very happy na nasa Mindanao Finals na kami. 'Yung mga efforts, sacrifices, ito lumabas na," said Basilan head coach Jerson Cabiltes.
The match was the resumption of the postponed game between the two squads last July 13 because of an unplayable court. The game started in the third quarter with the Vanguards up by one, 40-39.
With Roxas ahead by two, Chris Bitoon, Hesed Gabo, and Shaq Taganas closed the third period with nine straight points to give the Peace Riders a 63-56 lead. Sensing blood in the water, Basilan did not let up and opened the fourth with a 12-4 surge capped by Bitoon's drive, to build a commanding 15-point lead with just 4:58 left.
Balanced was the offense by the Peace Riders with five players in double figures led by Jay Collado's 13 points and seven rebounds. Jonathan Uyloan also had 13 points, while Jong Baloria and Hesed Gabo added 12 apiece.
Leo Najorda was the Vanguards' lone bright spot with 19 points, going 5-of-9 from behind the arc.
The loss dropped the Vanguards to the fourth seed with their 5-3 mark. Roxas will still be armed with a twice-to-beat advantage come the quarterfinals. (JNP)