THE Pagadian Explorers will try to move on to the next round when they tangle with the Kapatagan Buffalo Braves in the quarterfinals of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Leg on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at the Pagadian City Gymnasium.
Tip-off is at 4 p.m. with Pagadian armed with a twice-to-beat advantage over Kapatagan. Explorers head coach Harold Sta. Cruz expects his team to go all out, especially with Pagadianons supporting them via social media, and a LED screen right outside the gymnasium, where the games were always streamed live.
"Playoffs na ito. Kahit na may twice-to-beat advantage kami hindi namin iisipin 'yun kasi ang Kapatagan anytime puwedeng pumutok yan kaya dodoblehin namin ang effort namin," said Sta. Cruz.
"Grabe ka-motivated 'yung mga bata dahil sa suporta ng mga Pagadianon kaya itong mga players naglalaro talaga para sa kanila. Ibinubuhos nila ang lahat para sa Pagadian City," the youthful tactician added.
In their only matchup prior last July 17, Pagadian blew away the Buffalo Braves, 95-67.
Meanwhile, two Zamboanga teams will cap the double-header at 6 pm. Fifth-ranked JPS Zamboanga City, armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, will battle ALZA Alayon Zamboanga del Sur with a semifinals ticket at stake.
JPS barely escaped ALZA Alayon in their matchup in the elimination round, 82-79.
Petra Cement-Roxas gets a free pass to the first phase of the semis as seventh place MisOr pulled out of the league due to numerous injuries incurred throughout the tilt.
The Vanguards await the winner of the Pagadian-Kapatagan matchup. On the other hand, second-seeded Clarin will face the victors of the Zamboanga City-Zamboanga del Sur series. (JNP)