VisMin Cup: Pagadian d. Kapatagan, 87-76

    PAGADIAN CITY – The Pagadian Explorers became the last team to advance to the next phase of the playoffs for the 2021 Chooks To Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Division after toppling the Kapatagan Buffalo Braves, 87-76, in their rubber match Friday at the Pagadian City Gymnasium.  The Explorers used a 13-0 run late in the fourth period to put away the opposition and atone for their 82-96 loss the day earlier that forced the decider.

Kapatagan’s Bernabe Teodoro tied the game for the last time via a triple, 72-72, and the turning point of the match happened as Ryan Costelo committed an unsportsmanlike foul on Pagadian top scorer Rich Guinitaran as he converted the go-ahead basket with 4:16 to play and begin their scoring run, 74-72.  Guinitaran sank the bonus free throw and with possession staying with Pagadian Von Lloyd Dechos nailed a triple and the breakaway was on.

Frustration set in the Braves with Shaquille Alanes getting thrown out for a disqualifying foul on Jeric Serrano with 1:39 to go.  Jay Ar Ng Sang finally ended the run with a basket at the one-minute mark, 74-85, but it was too late as Keanu Caballero and Costelo traded field goals for the final count.

Guinitaran powered Pagadian with 22 points and 11 rebounds followed by Dechos with 16 points from four triples.  Caballero added 11 points and nine assists.

Teodoro played his best game of the tournament with 19 points off the bench but the effort went to waste.  Costelo followed with 18 also as a reserve as the Braves starters struggled.

The Explorers will next play the fourth seed Roxas Vanguards in a best of three series starting on Sunday.  The other series will pit Clarin Sto. Nino versus JPS Zamboanga City with the two winners tangling for the right to face undefeated top seed Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders for the championship.

How They Scored:

PAGADIAN (87) – Guinitaran 22, Dechos 16, K Caballero 11, Serrano 9, Acaylar 8, Manalo 8, Benitez 4, Demigaya 4, Pamaran 2, Diva 2, Quilo 1, Saludsod 0, Quimado 0, Bautista 0.

KAPATAGAN (76) – Teodoro 19, Costelo 18, Palma 10, Ng Sang 6, Inigo 5, Doroteo 4, Monte 4, Siarot 3, Acain 3, Alanes 2, Mandreza 2, Sollano 0.

Period Scores: 22-17, 44-37, 61-64, 87-76.

VisMin Cup: Zamboanga City d. Zamboanga del Sur, 69-66

     PAGADIAN CITY – Guard Fran Yu hit two pressure-packed free throws with 14 seconds left to key fifth seed JPS Zamboanga City’s win over sixth seed ALZA Alayon Zamboanga del Sur, 69-66, at the playoffs for the 2021 Chooks To Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Division at the Pagadian City Gymnasium Thursday evening.  The winners will now advance to face second seed Clarin Sto. Nino in the next round.

Gabby Espinas hit a crucial basket with 1:44 remaining that put JPS on top, 67-63, but Eliud Poligrates responded with a three-point play off Jerwin Gaco to threaten, 66-67.  Zamboanga del Sur made defensive stops that led to good chances but Jeff Tajonera and Poligrates missed their triples, forcing Dennis Daa to foul Yu who made both gift shots.

Espinas marked his return from a two-game absence with a double-double off the bench of 14 points and 10 rebounds.  Yu was next with 12 points.

Roldan Sara led Zamboanga del Sur with 14 points but missed the potential game-winning triple at the final buzzer.  Andrian Celada was next with 11 points while Charles Pepito added 10.

How They Scored:

ZAMBOANGA CITY (69) – Espinas 14, Yu 12, Cardona 9, Ferrer 9, Lingganay 7, Jeruta 5, Neypes 5, Gaco 5, Belencion 3.

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR (66) – Sara 14, Celada 11, Pepito 10, Poligrates 7, Daa 8, Cruz 5, Jabello 4, Moneva 3, Puerto 2, Tajonera 2, Amoguis 0, Raflores 0, Bangcoyan 0, Larotin 0.

Period Scores: 20-12, 37-28, 52-47, 69-66.

VisMin Cup: Kapatagan d. Pagadian, 96-82

    PAGADIAN CITY – Eighth seed Kapatagan Buffalo Braves shocked third seed and host Pagadian Explorers, 96-82, to force a deciding game in their playoff series for the 2021 Chooks To Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Division at the Pagadian City Gymnasium Thursday.  The Braves chose the best time to break out of their collective slump that saw them finish the eliminations at 2-6 including a five-game losing skid in between.

The Explorers held the lead for the last time on a Jeric Serrano basket, 7-6, and Alex Mandreza and Jay Ar Ng Sang ignited the Braves’ initial attack and seize control for good after one period, 33-22.  From there the reserves took over and outscored their Pagadian counterparts, 76-37.

Reserve Ryan Costelo led all Braves scorers with 19 points.  Bernabe Teodoro popped in eight of his 14 points in the final period to keep the Explorers from inching any closer, capped by a triple that set the final tally and avenge their 67-95 defeat to the same squad last July 17.

Von Lloyd Dechos topped Pagadian with 16 points.  Rich Guinitaran followed with 15 and Keanu Caballero added 13.

Both teams have little time to adjust as the decider will be held Friday evening.  The winner will next face the fourth seed Roxas Vanguards who won their series by default after their scheduled opponent seventh seed Brew Authoritea-Misamis Oriental formally withdrew from the tournament citing mounting player injuries.

How They Scored:

KAPATAGAN (96) – Costelo 19, Teodoro 14, Inigo 11, Ng Sang 10, Alanes 10, Monte 10, Doroteo 9, Mandreza 4, Sollano 3, Siarot 2, Incio 0, Tabaquero 0, Palma 0.

PAGADIAN (82) – Dechos 16, Guinitaran 15, K Caballero 13, Serrano 9, Demigaya 6, Quilo 5, Benitez 5, Quimado 4, Pamaran 3, Villaver 3, Manalo 3, Saludsod 0, Helido 0, Bautista 0, Diva 0.

Period Scores: 33-22, 52-44, 72-67, 96-82.

VisMin Cup: Basilan d. Roxas, 85-64

       PAGADIAN CITY – The game took two weeks to complete but it was well worth the wait as Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders completed an eight-game sweep of the elimination round of the 2021 Chooks To Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Division after defeating the Roxas Vanguards, 85-64, Tuesday at the Pagadian City Gymnasium.  The game originally started last July 13 but was halted just as the second half was underway due to unsafe playing conditions brought about by a slippery floor at the Ipil Provincial Gymnasium in Zamboanga Sibugay more than 130 kilometers away.

Basilan used a 9-0 run to close out the third period in their favor, 63-46, and carried the momentum into the fourth.  From there, team captain Jonathan Uyloan, Michael Mabulac, Jessie James Collado and Christopher Bitoon took turns at padding their lead with the final score representing their biggest lead while limited the Vanguards to only eight points in the entire fourth period.

Collado and Uyloan shared scoring honors for the Peace Riders with 13 each.  Gabo and Jong Baloria followed with 12 points each.

Najorda was the lone bright spot for the Vanguards with 19 points of the bench.  James Castro was next with only nine points as Roxas saw their five-game winning streak come to an end.

Actually, the game was supposed to be the Vanguards’ third after losing their first two games and the streak began after the postponement.  For sweeping the eliminations, Basilan will be given the first slot in the Mindanao Division Finals and wait for their opponent.

Meanwhile, Brew Authoritea-Misamis Oriental forfeited the remaining game on the schedule in favor of ALZA Alayon Zamboanga del Sur which now rose to sixth place with a 3-5 card.  The injury-plagued MisOr dropped to seventh spot at 2-6.

How They Scored:

BASILAN (85) – Collado 13, Uyloan 13, Gabo 12, Baloria 12, Mabulac 10, Bitoon 9, Manalang 3, Siruma 3, Taganas 2, Saliddin 2, Bringas 2, Hallare 2, Juico 2, Lunor 0, Tan 0.

ROXAS (64) – Najorda 19, Castro 9, Elmejrab 8, Camacho 8, Deles 6, Sta. Ana 4, Jaime 4, Reyes 2, Bondoc 2, Templo 2, Velasco 0, Rifarial 0, Casino 0, Pasia 0.

Period Scores: 20-16, 39-40, 63-56, 85-64.

Manila Chooks TM to Montreal

     MANILA CHOOKS TM will make a grand return to the 2021 FIBA 3X3 World Tour after the Filipino pro club was awarded a wild card to compete at the Montreal Masters set for September 3 to 4.  This marks their second stint this season after competing in the opening stop Doha Masters last March.

Aside from the Filipinos, among the early confirmed participants will be reigning World Tour champion Riga of Latvia, Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy of Mongolia, Lausanne Sport of Switzerland and the Serbian pair of Ub and Pirot (formerly Zemun).  Princeton of the United States and Raudondvaris Tauras of Lithuania earned slots by topping the Cergy-Pontoise Challenger held earlier this month in France.

Fielding an all-rookie line-up, Manila Chooks won one game in Doha but it was not enough to get past the qualifying round.  The team of Chico Lanete, Mark Jayven Tallo , Zachary Huang and Dennis Santos hope to do better this time and keep alive their chances of making the 12-team season finale to be hosted by Jeddah, Saudi Arabia this December 17.

The FIBA 3X3 World Tour will resume after the Tokyo Olympics with stops in Lausanne, Switzerland (August 20) and Debrecen, Hungary (August 28) before heading to Montreal.  More stops will follow in Prague, Czech Republic (September 18) and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (October 29) but FIBA may announce several more once finalized.

FIBA is also working to add on to the Challenger and Super Quest calendars, which may include an event in the Philippines.  These events will serve as qualifiers for the World Tour Masters.

VisMin Cup: Basilan d. Clarin, 86-68

     PAGADIAN CITY –There was no runaway this time but the result remained the same as Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders are now one win away from sweeping the elimination round of the 2021 Chooks To Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Division.  The Peace Riders took down erstwhile fellow undefeated squad Clarin Sto. Nino, 86-68, in Monday’s main game from the Pagadian City Gymnasium for their seventh in a row.

Clarin only led once, 3-2, on a Carlo Lastimosa triple.  From there, Jessie James Collado and Jong Baloria took turns at leading the balanced attack but Basilan despite being well in control could not surge ahead thanks to Clarin’s tight defense.

Still, the Peace Riders broke the 70.0 average points given up by Clarin on back to back triples from Hesed Gabo and Philip Manalang with a good 5:35 left in the contest, 72-57.  Team captain Jonathan Uyloan then strung up three straight field goals for Basilan’s biggest lead,83-63, and 2:29 to play.

Collado led Basilan with 15 followed by Baloria with 14.  Uyloan and Gabo heated up late to knock in 12 points each with Gabo issuing 11 assists.

Lastimosa and John Wilson topped Clarin with 16 points each.  Joseph Eriobu chipped in 10 points as their seven-game winning streak came to an end.

Regardless of the result of their last game against the surging Roxas Vanguards, Basilan is assured of the top seeding in the playoffs with Clarin as the second seed.  The Peace Riders will have to complete the remaining 19 minutes of the game that was halted last July 13 due to unfavorable playing conditions at the Ipil Provincial Gymnasium in Zamboanga Sibugay.

How They Scored:

BASILAN (86) – Collado 15, Baloria 14, Uyloan 12, Gabo 12, Manalang 8, Mabulac 7, Bringas 4, Bitoon 4, Juico 4, Taganas 2, Hallare 2, Siruma 2.

CLARIN (68) – Lastimosa 16, Wilson 16, Eriobu 10, Raymundo 6, Marcelino 5, Hayes 4, de Mesa 4, Baetiong 4, Pagente 3, Berdan 0, Santos 0, Mangahas 0, Jalem 0.

Period Scores: 24-14, 39-32, 64-55, 86-68.

VisMin Cup: Roxas d. Kapatagan, 93-65

     PAGADIAN CITY – The Roxas Vanguards continued their amazing winning run at the 2021 Chooks To Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Division by putting away Kapatagan Buffalo Braves, 93-65, in continuing action Monday at the Pagadian City Gymnasium.  The Vanguards thus cemented their grip on third place via their fifth straight win for an overall 5-2 record.

After conceding the first basket of the game, Vanguards JK Casino and Francis Camacho combined in an 8-0 run to begin the demolition job.  Roxas was hardly challenged that even their role players managed to build a 29-point lead with a little over three minutes on the clock, 89-60.

Casino played his best game of the tournament thus far with 19 points after averaging only 5.5 in the first six games.  Jong Bondoc supported him with 16 while Camacho added 15 points.

Ryan Costelo paced the Braves with 15 points followed by Renz Palma with 12.  The Braves finished the elimination round with a 2-6 win-loss card, including a five-game losing skid after winning their first assignment over the Iligan Archangels, 64-56, who have since withdrawn from competition.

The only task left for Coach Eddie Laure and the Vanguards is the resumption of their game last July 13 against Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders.  The court at the Ipil Provincial Gym was deemed too slippery and unfit for play with Roxas hanging on to the 40-39 lead at the 9:15 mark of the third period.

How They Scored:

ROXAS (93) – Casino 19, Bondoc 16, Camacho 15, Castro 9, Najorda 9, Elmejrab 6, Deles 6, Reyes 4, Templo 3, Velasco 2, Rifarial 2, Pasia 2, Sta. Ana 0, Intic 0.

KAPATAGAN (65) – Costelo 15, Palma 12, Inigo 9, Monte 7, Doroteo 7, Mandreza 4, Astrero 4, Ng Sang 2, Alanes 2, Teodoro 2, Acain 1, Siarot 0.

Period Scores: 33-23, 55-44, 73-54, 93-65.

NBL: La Union d. Laguna, 87-57

    CITY of San Fernando – Nine months after, redemption still rings strong for losing finalist La Union PAOwer and they began the new season on a high note by crushing the Laguna Pistons, 87-57, in the main game of the 2021 Chooks To Go National Basketball League (NBL) Chairman’s Cup Sunday evening at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.  Five PAOwer scored in double figures in the biggest win of the one-week old tournament to serve notice to the field.

Both teams ended the first quarter in an 18-18 tie and La Union allowed Laguna to taste the lead for the last time via a free throw, 19-18.  From there, there was no denying the PAOwer as Jap Pambid hit back to back baskets to ignite their 13-0 breakaway for good, 31-19.  The Pistons managed to settle down and close in by halftime, 32-27.

The PAOwer proved stronger in the second half as they outscored the Pistons in the third, 30-12, behind a total team effort.  Despite being well in control, La Union continued to pound and increased their lead up to the final minute.

Jayson Apolonio led the PAOwer with 16 points followed by Jonathan Ablao with 15 on four triples.  Erven Silverie came off the bench for 15 more points while Pambid and Billy Ray Boado also hit twin digits with 12 and 10 respectively.

Pistons captain Jeff Disquitado had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.  Supporting him were Ralph Pantaleon and Sean Sandoval with 12 points each.

How They Scored:

LA UNION (87) – Apolonio 16, Ablao 15, Silverie 15, Pambid 12, Boado 10, Llona 7, Gatchalian 4, Fontanilla 4, Maynes 4, Francisco 0, Agulan 0.

LAGUNA (57) – Disquitado 16, Pantaleon 12, Sandoval 12, Junsay 9, Galamiton 4, Tocmo 4, Cardeno 0, Manacsa 0, Rosales 0, Hilario 0.

Period Scores: 18-18, 37-32, 67-44, 87-57.

VisMin Cup: Clarin d. Zamboanga del Sur, 96-91

     PAGADIAN CITY – Clarin Sto. Nino survived a major challenge from ALZA Alayon Zamboanga del Sur, 96-91, for their seventh straight win at the 2021 Chooks To Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Division at the Pagadian City Gymnasium Sunday.  The win thus sets up Clarin for the monumental showdown against fellow undefeated squad Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders on Monday.

Guards Carlo Lastimosa and Pamboy Raymundo put in the big baskets with Lastimosa adding a free throw for a 96-85 cushion with 31 seconds remaining.  Suddenly, Zamboanga del Sur went on a 6-0 run ignited by a Roldan Sara triple but time was not on their side as Clarin hung tough.

Lastimosa led all scorers with 22 points followed by John Wilson with 17.  The 91 points given up is the highest for Clarin but they still retained their tag as the tournament’s best defense allowing only 70.0 points in their seven games.

Sara led Zamboanga del Sur with 18 points on three triples.  Andrian Celada played his best game of the tournament with 17 points after averaging only 5.2 in five games.

How They Scored:

CLARIN (96) – Lastimosa 22, Wilson 17, Eriobu 12, Marcelino 11, Raymundo 7, Baetiong 7, Pagente 6, de Mesa 6, Hayes 5, Berdan 3, Fuentes 0, Mangahas 0.

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR (91) – Sara 18, Celada 17, Daa 15, Pepito 10, Jabello 9, Poligrates 8, Moneva 4, Larotin 3, Tajonera 3, Bangcoyan 2, Raflores 2, Puerto 0.

Period Scores: 26-23, 42-45, 65-67, 96-91.

NBL: Mindoro d. Zamboanga, 71-64

     CITY of San Fernando, Pampanga – Mindoro Tamaraws Disiplinados recovered from their opening debacle to subdue Zamboanga Valientes MLV, 71-64, and join the early winners in the 2021 Chooks To Go National Basketball League (NBL) Chairman’s Cup at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.  Mindoro dropped a 84-106 decision to league leader DF Bulacan Republicans 24 hours earlier at the same venue.

The Valientes also came off a tough 85-109 beating at the hands of the Quezon yesterday and looked determined to bounce back by taking the early 12-2 lead.  However, that was basically all to be heard from them as Mindoro turned up the juice to take the first period, 18-14, behind the eight points of Francis Acedillo.

Acedillo was not yet done as his basket capped a 13-0 blitz by the Tamaraws to begin the second half and erect their biggest lead of 25 markers, 52-27.  Mindoro relaxed a bit too early and allowed the Valientes to trim the margin to only four, 56-60, with still six minutes to go but consecutive baskets from Luigi Natada, Jhon Jerrick Caspe and Dwight Jasper Garcia restored their 11-point lead entering the last two minutes, 67-56.

The Valientes had one more rally that saw Jan Carl Luciano and Franz Pasamante threaten at the 49-second mark, 64-68.  Defense saved the day for Mindoro with Acedillo and Natada putting in the insurance free throws as Zamboanga failed to sustain their comeback.

Caspe submitted a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds.  Acedillo was next with 12 points while Rodel Vaygan had eight points plus 11 rebounds as the Tamaraws evened their record at 1-1.

Luciano also had a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds for the losing Valientes who are now 0-2 and alone at the bottom of the standings.  Choi Ignacio and Jeff Bernardo chipped in 12 points each with Bernardo grabbing 10 rebounds.

How They Scored:

MINDORO (71) – Caspe 18, Acedillo 12, Vaygan 8, Natada 7, Garcia 7, Bernal 6, Bangeles 5, Sarmiento 4, Cascalla 2, Axalan 2.

ZAMBOANGA (64) – Luciano 15, Ignacio 12, Bernardo 12, Santos 9, Fra Pasamante 7, Mohammad 4, Garcia 2, Diaz 2, Sebastian 1, Esa 0, Tano 0.

Period Scores: 18-14, 39-27, 58-42, 71-64.

VisMin Cup: Basilan d. Zamboanga City, 133-67

     PAGADIAN CITY – Merciless Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders cruised to their sixth win in as many games with another record win over hapless JPS Zamboanga City, 133-67, at the 2021 Chooks To Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Division at the Pagadian City Gymnasium Sunday.  This time, the Peace Riders set a new record of biggest winning margin at 66 points to erase the old standard of 38 in the 104-66 win of MJAS Zenith Talisay Aquastars over Tubigon Bohol Mariners in the league’s very first game last April 9 in Alcantara, Cebu.

The Peace Riders surpassed their 104.3 points per game average on a Christopher Bitoon basket with seven minutes left and Basilan way ahead, 106-54.  Coach Jerson Cabilites then unleashed his role players and they rewarded their coach’s confidence with a 44-point fourth period and the final score matching the biggest lead of the game.

Michael Juico was efficiency with a capital “E” as he scored 21 points on 10 of 12 shooting in only 13 minutes on the floor as a substitute.  Bitoon followed with 15 points while Michael Mabulac added 14 points as a total of six Peace Riders had twin digits.

Jerwin Gaco was the lone bright spot of Zamboanga City with 17 points,  Wam Alvarez chipped in 10 points as the only other teammate in double figures.

How They Scored:

BASILAN (133) – Juico 21, Bitoon 15, Mabulac 14, Collado 12, Latip 12, Bringas 11, Baloria 9, Hallare 7, Gabo 6, Saliddin 6, Uyloan 5, Siruma 5, Taganas 4, Manalang 4, Lunor 2.

ZAMBOANGA CITY (67) – Gaco 17, Alvarez 10, Cardona 9, Yu 7, Salim 6, Belencion 4, Ferrer 4, Neypes 3, G Jumao-As 3, Waminal 2, N Jumao-As 2, Jeruta 0, Matias 0.

Period Scores: 33-17, 51-31, 89-49, 133-67.

WNBL: Paranaque d. Pacific Water, 85-56

       CITY of San Fernando, Pampanga – Paranaque Lady Aces served notice of their championship intentions by smothering Pacific Water Queens, 85-56, in continuing action from the 2021 Pia Cayetano Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center Sunday.  The debuting Lady Aces broke away in the second period and never looked back to send the Water Queens to the bottom of the standings at 0-2.

Paranaque’s stingy defense held Pacific Water to a solitary free throw in the first eight minutes of the second period as they transformed their 20-18 lead into a 41-19 runaway.  From there, the Lady Aces did not hold back and stretched their lead to as much as 35 points in the fourth period courtesy of back to back hits by 6’4” Gilas Pilipinas Claire Castro.

Allana Lim stamped her class with 19 points and 10 rebounds while drawing support from Jhenn Angeles with 12 and AJ Gloriani with 11 points.

Snow Penaranda again led Pacific Water in the losing effort with 19 points and 12 rebounds.  Cara Buendia followed with 12 points.

How They Scored:

PARANAQUE (85) – Lim 18, Angeles 12, Gloriani 11, Castro 7, de la Merced 6, Siat 6, Ventura 6, Galicia 5, Tingcang 5, Tolentino 4, Santos 3, Reyes 2, Baarde 0, Solis 0.

PACIFIC WATER (56) – Penaranda 19, Buendia 12, Mamaril 8, Bilbao 4, Balasta 3, Go 3, Alba 2, Villaflores 2, Sebastian 2, Adriano 1, Cortizano 0, Taller 0.

Period Scores: 20-18, 41-24, 63-37, 85-56.

NBL: Quezon d. Zamboanga, 109-85

     CITY of San Fernando, Pampanga – Newcomer Quezon Barons unleashed a powerful performance in the third period to go on and defeat Zamboanga Valientes MLV, 109-85, in continuing action from the 2021Chooks To Go National Basketball League (NBL) Chairman’s Cup Saturday night at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.  A different Barons emerged from the halftime huddle where they nursed a 50-43 lead.

All the Barons needed was a 21-2 opening barrage to the third period that turned the tight contest into a laugher, 71-45.  Before they knew it, Quezon was on top by 38 with 9:43 left in the game on a drive by Domenick Vera, 96-58.

Alex Ramos soared his way to a game-high 21 points on top of nine rebounds off the bench followed by Vera with 18 points.  Christopher Lagrama, one of the winners in the NBL/WNBL 1V1 League last May, popped in 17 points.

Jan Carl Luciano led the Valientes with 16 points and 10 rebounds.  Choi Ignacio slowed down in the second half but still finished with 15 points followed by Freud Pasamante with 13.

How They Scored:

QUEZON (109) – Ramos 21, Vera 18, Lagrama 17, Resurrecion 12, Dongog 9, Deduyo 6, Nanez 5, Calucin 5, Sarona 4, Tan 4, Ramirez 3, Garcia 2, Dacian 2, Plata 1, Sena 0.

ZAMBOANGA (85) – Luciano 16, Ignacio 15, Fre Pasamante 13, Esa 11, Bernardo 10, Mohammad 8, Sebastian 6, Santos 2, Fra Pasamante 2, Diaz 2, Garcia 0, Navarro 0, Tano 0.

Period Scores: 26-16, 50-43, 89-56, 109-85.

VisMin Cup: Roxas d. Misamis Oriental, 113-87

     PAGADIAN CITY – The winning streak of the Roxas Vanguards is now up to four games as they pulverized Brew Authoritea-Misamis Oriental, 113-87, in the main game Saturday from the 2021 Chooks To Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup at the Pagadian City Gymnasium Saturday.  The Vanguards of Coach Eddie Laure are now in third place after dropping their first two assignments.

Joseph Sedurifa’s triple tied the count at 19-19 and it proved to be MisOr’s last hurrah as substitutes James Castro and Jong Bondoc combined in a 9-0 run for a 28-19 Vanguards lead.  Tournament scoring leader Ronjay Buenafe closed out the period with a field goal but the second period was all-Vanguards as any player fielded by Coach Laure contributed to their imposing 58-39 halftime lead.

Castro led the Vanguards’ balanced attack with 17 points.  Jordan Intic was next with 14 points, highlighted by back to back baskets in the third that erected their biggest lead, 84-50.

Mac Baracael paced MisOr with 29 points.  Appearing with only eight players and seven actually playing, Buenafe was made to come off the bench and produced 17 points as the lack of manpower tolled heavily on the team.

How They Scored:

ROXAS (113) – Castro 17, Intic 14, Deles 13, Elmejrab 11, Bondoc 11, Sta. Ana 7, Rifarial 6, Najorda 6, Camacho 6, Pasia 6, Reyes 5, Templo 5, Velasco 4, Casino 2.

MISAMIS ORIENTAL (87) – Baracael 29, Buenafe 17, Sedurifa 14, Munsayac 10, Meca 8, Mendoza 6, Gonzaga 3.

Period Scores: 28-21, 58-39, 94-62, 113-87.

NBL: Bulacan d. Mindoro, 106-84

     CITY of San Fernando, Pampanga – DF Bulacan Republicans showed fine form in earning their second straight win over the Mindoro Tamaraws Disiplinados, 106-84, and solo leadership of the 2021 Chooks To Go National Basketball League (NBL)  Chairman’s Cup at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga Saturday.  Bulacan again asserted its height advantage as they seized control in the second period and never looked back.

Bulacan actually had another slow start and allowed Mindoro to keep in step with the game’s final deadlock coming at 28-28 and 7:36 to play in the second period.  From there, Earnest Reyes and Jerick Sumampong hit back to back baskets to signal the start of the Republicans’ breakaway, 32-28, that paved the way for the halftime score in their favor, 47-41.

Mindoro had a hard time recovering as Bulacan continued to pound the inside.  The lead increased to as much as 30 points by the seven-minute mark of the fourth period, 97-67, after which the Republicans eased their scoring pace and coasted to the victory, matching their 22-point triumph over the STAN Quezon Spartan on opening day last weekend, 116-94.

Dominick Fajardo displayed the stuff that made him a collegiate Most Valuable Player by unloading 23 points and 13 rebounds while his frontcourt partner Earnest Reyes was not far behind with 22 points.  Center Joseph Celso already had a double-double by the third period and finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Rodel Vaygan carried the load for Mindoro with 29 points.  Luigi Natada and Jhon Jerrick Caspe were the only other twin digit scorers with 15 and 10 respectively.

How They Scored:

BULACAN (106) – Fajardo 23, E Reyes 22, Celso 12, Necio 9, K Reyes 8, Cruz 7, Maglalang 6, Sumampong 6, Ramirez 4, Camua 4, Operio 3, Andres 2, Santos 0.

MINDORO (84) – Vaygan 29, Natada 15, Cape 10, Sarmiento 9, Axalan 7, Cascalla 5, Acedillo 4, Garcia 2, Alulod 2, Huerto 1, Bernal 0, Salas 0, Guinto 0.

Period Scores: 22-23, 47-41, 79-61, 106-84.

VisMin Cup: Clarin d. Zamboanga City, 95-69

       PAGADIAN CITY – Undefeated Clarin Sto. Nino streaked to its sixth straight win and reclaimed the solo leadership of the 2021 Chooks To Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Division via a clinical 95-69 mastery of JPS Zamboanga City Saturday at the Pagadian City Gymnasium.  Clarin’s patented defense did the damage as they kept their opponents dry for most of the fourth period.

Clarin unloaded a 14-0 bomb at the start of the final period to grab control and pull away for good in just five minutes, 75-62.  Kyle Neypes briefly ended Zamboanga’s silence but Clarin did not relent and went on an 11-0 run secure the victory with still three minutes to play, 86-64.

John Wilson powered the big win with 25 points via five triples in only 24 minutes.  Carlo Lastimosa supported him with 14 points while reserve Marvin Hayes knocked in 12 points.

Zamboanga, which entered the game owning the tournament’s second best defense, was paced by Jerwin Gaco with 16 points.  Mark Cardona followed with 10 points as they fell to 4-3 and two rungs down the standings to fifth place.

How They Scored:

CLARIN (95) – Wilson 25, Lastimosa 14, Hayes 12, Eriobu 11, Marcelino 10, Berdan 8, Mangahas 5, Jalem 4, Raymundo 2, Fuentes 2, Baetiong 2, de Mesa 0.

ZAMBOANGA CITY (69) – Gaco 16, Cardona 10, Yu 9, Lingganay 9, Salim 6, Matias 6, Neypes 5, Ferrer 4, Alvarez 2, Jeruta 1, Belencion 1, Waminal 0, G Jumao-as 0, N Jumao-as 0.

Period Scores: 16-22, 38-33, 62-61, 95-69.

WNBL: Glutagence d. Quezon, 75-60

     CITY of San Fernando, Pampanga – Glutagence Glow Boosters took the early lead in the Pia Cayetano Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) 2021 by blowing away debuting STAN Quezon Lady Spartan, 75-60, at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center Saturday.  A strong fourth period was the key to give the Glow Boosters their second in as many games.

STAN was hanging on to 58-54 lead with 7:50 left when Raiza Palmera-Dy hit a basket followed by back to back field goals by Carol Sangalang to ignite their dizzying 21-0 run.  Khate Castillo then sank two straight triples and there was no stopping the Glow Boosters as Micah Joy Figuracion,April Lualhati and Palmera-Dy took turns at padding their lead that reached 75-58 by the 24-second mark with STAN captain Phaula Nadres ending the bleeding with her late basket.

Palmera-Dy led Glutagence again with 22 points on three triples and flirted with a triple double with nine rebounds and eight assists.  Figuracion and Castillo both came off the bench to contribute 13 and 12 points respectively and hitting a combined seven triples.

Kristine Duran was the lone Lady Spartan in double figures with 12 points.  Dianne Ventura was next with only nine points while Nadres chipped in eight.

How They Scored:

GLUTAGENCE (75) – Palmera-Dy 22, Figuracion 13, Castillo 12, Sangalang 8, Claro 6, Salapong 5, Lualhati 4, Cainglet 3, Ramos 2, Cancio 0, Gula 0, Tan 0, Hufanda 0, Garcia 0, Sicat 0.

QUEZON (60) – Duran 12, Ventura 9, Nadres 8, Valenzuela 7, Faraon 5, Araja 5, de Austria 4, Razalo 4, Iida 4, Taroja 2, Jimenez 0, Tupaz 0.

Period Scores: 19-17, 34-36, 49-54, 75-60.

VisMin Cup: Basilan d. Misamis Oriental, 140-106

     PAGADIAN CITY – Rampaging Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders scored its fifth straight win and grab a share of the lead of the 2021 Chooks To Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Division by waylaying Brew Authoritea-Misamis Oriental, 140-106, Friday at the Pagadian City Gymnasium.  The game saw a new league record for highest score bettering the old mark also held by the Peace Riders in their 118-84 triumph over the Kapatagan Buffalo Braves last Monday.

Basilan set the tone early as Jong Baloria outscored the entire opposition with 10 points as they jumped to the 20-7.  Coach Jerson Cabiltes then replaced all his five players and the destruction was on.

The Peace Riders surpassed their tournament-best average of 94.3 points per game as early as 2:34 left the third period on a Jay-R Taganas basket, 95-62.  The record was eventually smashed by Darwin Lunor’s fourth period field goal, 120-84, and 5:24 left on the clock.

Michael Juico led Basilan’s attack with 20 points off the bench in 13 minutes.  Baloria scored nine more after his first period explosion to finish with 19 points followed by Lunor with 18 points.

Ronjay Buenafe tied the league record for most individual points in a game of 35 first set by Pari Llagas of the Tubigon Bohol Mariners last April 24 in their 92-77 win over the Tabogon Voyagers.  Mac Baracael followed with 24 while Joseph Sedurifa added 18 points.

How They Scored:

BASILAN (140) – Juico 20, Baloria 19, Lunor 18, Bitoon 15, Siruma 12, Gabo 11, Taganas 10, Mabulac 8, Sallidin 8, Bringas 6, Manalang 5, Collado 4, Uyloan 2, Hallare 2, Tan 0.

MISAMIS ORIENTAL (106) – Buenafe 35, Baracael 24, Sedurifa 18, Meca 9, Munsayac 7, Mendoza 7, Sanga 6, Gonzaga 0, Sarangay 0.

Period Scores: 27-12, 67-37, 106-65, 140-106.

Wellington 2021 NBL Champions

The Finals

PORIRUA – What Taane Samuel and Ken Tuffin failed to accomplish in their collegiate careers in the Philippines came into reality as the duo was crowned together with their teammates at the Wellington Saints as champions of the 2021 Sal’s National Basketball League (NBL) after a thrilling 77-75 win over the Hawke’s Bay Hawks Friday at the Te Rauparaha Arena. The Saints thus returned to the top of the league after skipping last season and not defending the title they won in 2019.

Tohi Smith-Milner scored and a defensive stop led to a Samuel triple that gave the Saint the 75-71 lead with 2:16 to go.  Rhys Vague and Smith-Milner then engaged in a shootout as the Hawks stayed within striking range by the 37-second mark, 75-77.

Samuel then missed a triple with 20 second left but Wellington collared the offensive rebound.  In the key point of the game, Devondrick Walker stole the ball but the five seconds on the clock were not enough and Wellington’s celebration fired away.

Samuel led the champions with 26 points followed by Kerwin Roach Jr. with 15 and captain Dion Prewster with 15.  Tuffin finished with five points.

Walker paced the Hawks with 31 points.  Hyrum Harris had a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds.

The Saints looked to make it an early runaway by taking the first period, 28-16, with Samuel and Tuffin as starters.  The Hawks rallied to make the game interesting and even held the high-scoring Saints to only nine in the third period.

This marks the 12^th NBL championship for the Saints, the most in league history.  The franchise also took home the title in 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2003, 1988, 1987, 1985 and 1984.

How They Scored:

WELLINGTON (77) – Samuel 26, Roach 16, Prewster 15, Smith-Milner 9, Tuffin 5, Henry 3, Mclean 3.

HAWKE’S BAY (75) – Walker 31, Harris 22, Vague 8, Raukawa 8, Rusbatch 4, Hunt 2, Kenny 0, Janssen 0.

Period Scores: 28-16, 47-41, 56-60, 77-75.

VisMin Cup: Roxas d. Zamboanga del Sur, 79-72

    PAGADIAN CITY – Chalk up three wins in a row for the rejuvenated Roxas Vanguards as they ripped ALZA Alayon-Zamboanga del Sur, 79-72, in continuing action at the 2021 Chooks To Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Division at the Pagadian City Gymnasium Friday afternoon.  The Vanguards used a crippling 9-0 run midway in the fourth for an overall 3-2 win-loss record.

With the score tied at 68-68 with five minutes to play, Roxas turned to Lester Reyes, JK Casino, James Castro and Jong Bondoc to takes turns at delivering the most important baskets of the game for a 77-68 lead with 1:32 remaining.  John Calvin Jabello briefly threatened with back to back hits but Castro banked in the insurance free throws with 23 ticks to play.

Castro fittingly earned scoring honors with 22 points and 10 assists.  Bondoc had a monster double-double of 15 points and 23 rebounds.

Dennis Daa topped Zamboanga del Sur with 15 points and 15 rebounds.  Eliud Poligrates was next with 15 markers as they fell to 2-4.

Meanwhile, the winless Iligan Archangels formally announced their withdrawal from the competition citing internal problems.  The team will thus forfeit their remaining games against the Pagadian Explorers, JPS Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del Sur and finish with a 0-8 win-loss card.

How They Scored:

ROXAS (79) – Castro 22, Bondoc 15, Reyes 12, Casino 9, Najorda 8, Camacho 5, Sta. Ana 4, Elmejrab 4, Velasco 0, Intic 0, Rifarial 0, Templo 0, Pasia 0, Deles 0.

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR (72) – Daa 16, Poligrates 15, Pepito 9, Celada 7, Jabello 6, Sara 5, Bangcoyan 4, Moneva 4, Puerto 3, Raflores 3, Tajonera 0.

Period Scores: 20-14, 35-32, 54-55, 79-72.