Jay Collado of Basilan in action.
Roxas ousts Zamboanga
PAGADIAN — Petra Cement-Roxas marched to the Mindanao Leg Finals after trouncing fancied Zamboanga City, 83-72, in the do-or-die Game 3of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup semifinals phase two.
The fourth-seeded Vanguards will meet Jumbo Plastic-Basilan, who gained an outright Finals berth after sweeping the eliminations, in the best-of-three Finals, commencing on Sunday, 7 pm, still at the Pagadian City Gymnasium here.
Already leading by seven, Roxas then outscored its foes in the third canto, 23-16, to build a 14-point advantage heading into the payoff period, 66-52.
“SInasabi ko lagi sa players ko na ang Zamboanga mas beterano sa atin yan, tayo hindi rin naman tayo ganon kabata at may beterano rin tayo na dapat mag step-up. Buti hindi naman nagpabaya ang mga beterano namin,” said Vanguards head coach Eddie Laure.
Seven was the closest JPS could get in the fourth, 71-78, on free throws by Fran Yu with 1:58 left.
But the Vanguards held on to book their seat in the Finals.
Things got heated at the 1:32 mark of the third frame when Jerwin Gaco and Leo Najorda figured on a rebound battle with their arms entangled. The two then shoved each other before Jordan Sta. Ana came to Najorda’s defense, pushing Gaco.
The scores:
Roxas (83) — Sta. Ana 17, Najorda 16, Reyes 13, Castro 12, Bondoc 9, Casino 5, Jaime 4, Pasia 4, Camacho 3, Velasco 0, Initic 0, Rifaril 0, Elmejrab 0, Templo 0, Deles 0.
Zamboanga City (72 ) – Espinas 16, Belencion 14, Yu 13, Lingganay 12, Gaco 9, Jeruta 8, Neypes 0, Cardona 0.
Quarterscores: 25-19, 43-36, 66-52, 83-72.
