PAGADIAN, Zamboanga del Sur — Shaq Imperial saved the day as Zamboanga Sibugay escaped Roxas in overtime, 91-89, in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Challengeat the Pagadian City gymnasium here.

Trailing 87-91, Embons Bonleon and Wawa Templo split their respective charities to pull the Vanguards within After a couple of empty possessions on both ends, Roxas sent Imperial to the line.

However, the former CESAFI MVP missed both his shots, giving the Vanguards a chance to tie or win the game with 4.3 seconds left.

Off a timeout, Roxas went to Cyrus Tabi who received the ball at the left corner and hoisted a triple but Imperial atoned for his missed freebies with a massive block to seal the deal.

“Ang game plan namin sa defense all switch talaga kami. Maganda ‘yung kuha ni Shaq, maganda ‘yung angle niya kaya na-block niya,” Anak Mindanao Warriors head coach Arnold Oliveros said.

Down 10 midway, Roxas ended the fourth quarter on a 14-4 blast to force overtime, 83-83.

Imperial had a chance to win the game for Zamboanga Sibugay but his shot from deep was smothered.

The Warriors were led by Imperial with 20 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and an eye-popping six blocks.

Jaybie Mantilla erupted for 16 of his 19 points in the fourth frame to go with five rebounds, while Rhaffy Octobre and Joco Tayongtong got 11 points apiece.

Zamboanga Sibugay went up to solo second at 6-4, while Roxas fell to fourth seed at 5-4.

James Martinez and Nick Abanto delivered 15 points apiece for the Vanguards while Bonleon added 14 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.

Marlon Monte chipped in 13 points as well.

Roxas’ next game will be on Tuesday against MFT Iligan at 4 pm, while Zamboanga Sibugay will play on Wednesday against the Archangels as well.

Earlier, Pagadian extended Basilan BRT’s woes to six games, 77-65.

The Explorers dropped 20 points in the third while limiting the Peace Riders to just 10 points to establish a 14-point advantage entering the fourth period, 56-42.

But Basilan kept coming back, unloading 16 straight points in the payoff period to turn a 47-66 affair to a 63-66 ballgame with 3:01 to go.

However, the Explorers have one last run in them as Judel Fuentes and Charles Pepito went on an 8-0 blitz to restore their lead to double figures, 74-63, with 1:36 remaining.

The scores:

First game

Pagadian (77)– Fuentes 21, Mag-isa 17, Pepito 10, Acaylar 7, Diaz 7, Ibanez 6, Uri 6, Pamaran 3, Dechos 0, Caballero 0, Demigaya 0, Saludsod 0.
Basilan (65) — Morada 14, Ferrer 11, Ansaldo 11, Daa 9, Panganiban 7, Albina 4, Luciano 3, Soliva 2, Salim 2, Solis 2, Sallidin 0, Goloran 0, Bulac 0.
Quarterscores: 21-18, 36-32, 56-42, 77-65.

Second game

Zamboanga Sibugay (91) – Imperial 20, Mantilla 19, Tayongtong 11, Octobre 11, Camacho 10, Sorela 7, Gayosa 6, Arong 3, Bangcoyan 2, Dumapig 2, Acain 0, Pasia 0, Albrecht 0.
Roxas (89) – Martinez 15, Abanto 15, Bonleon 14, Monte 13, Segura 9, Templo 8, Dela Cruz 6, Tabi 5, Mabigat 3, Valin 1, Basco 0.
Quarterscores: 16-26, 40-42, 63-63, 83-83, 91-89.