The Petra Cement-Roxas Vanguards outlasted the Pagadian Explorers, 78-67, in Game 1 of the best-of-three semifinals in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup at the Pagadian City Gymnasium on Sunday.
The Vanguards led by as much as 19 but the Explorers came roaring back and pulled to within five, 57-62, after two free throws by Rich Guinitaran with 6:23 left in the payoff frame. But the Vanguards answered with a 10-2 blitz, capped by Jhong Bondoc's corner triple to bring the lead back to 13, 72-59, with just 1:55 to go to seal the victory.
Jhomng Bondoc scored 21 points to go with five assists, five rebounds, and a steal for Roxas. James Castro filled the stat sheet with 19 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and two steals.
Big man Lester Reyes also had a huge double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds, and put the exclamation point with a one-handed dunk in the waning seconds of the game.
Guinitaran had a game-high 22 points with seven rebounds but he had no help from other Pagadian cagers.
The Vanguards shoot for a seat in the second phase of the semifinals tomorrow, 6 pm, while the Explorers aim to extend the series to a rubber match.
The Scores:
Roxas 78 - Bondoc 21, Castro 19, Reyes 14, Camacho 9, Jaime 7, Casino 5, Sta. Ana 2, Najorda 2, Pasia 0, Deles 0.
Pagadian 67 - Guinitaran 22, Acaylar 10, Dechos 7, Demigaya 6, Serrano 6, Quimado 5, Benitez 5, Manalo 4, Caballeo 2, Quilo 0, Singedas 0, Cortez 0, Pamaran 0.
Quarterscores: 10-21, 36-28, 55-43, 78-67. (JNP)