THE JPS Zamboanga City ousted the Alza Alayon Zamboanga del Sur, 69-66, in the quarterfinals of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on Thursday evening, July 29, at the Pagadian City Gymnasium.
Fran Yu made crucial plays on both ends for JPS as they barely escaped sixth seed Zamboanga del Sur to move on to the semis where they will take on the second-seeded Clarin Sto. Niño.
An and-one by Cebuano guard Eloy Poligrates put ALZA Alayon down by just one, 66-67, with 1:34 left in the match. Looking for its first lead since the 2:54 mark of the first period, Jeff Tajonera put up a wide-open three from the right wing that rimmed out. Poligrates also missed a trifecta in the waning seconds, leading to free throws for Yu with 11.3 ticks remaining.
The NCAA Season 95 Finals Most Valuable Player Yu calmly sank both from the charity stripe to stretch JPS's lead to three, leaving a door ajar for ALZA Alayon.
But on the ensuing play, Dan Sara’s potential game-tying triple got blocked by Yu to seal the win for JPS.
Yu finished with 12 points, five assists, four rebounds, a steal, and a block. Gabby Espinas produced 14 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists for JPS while Mac Cardona tallied nine points, five rebounds, three assists, and a block.
Pacing ALZA Alayon was Sara with 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Adrian Celada added 11 points. Charles Pepito almost had a double-double with 10 points on a perfect 5-of-5 clip, to go with nine rebounds. (JNP)