WHEN there’s a game on the line, expect former CESAFI MVP Shaq Imperial to take over.

Imperial hit the game-winning three-point shot with 40 seconds left to lift Mandaue-KCS Computer Specialist to a heart-stopping 67-66 win over Talisay City-MJAS Zenith and move within a win of capturing the inaugural title in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas Vis-Min Super Cup basketball tournament at the Alcantara Sports and Civic Center in Cebu Province.

Imperial’s game-winner came on his third attempt.

With Mandaue trailing by two points, 64-66, Imperial missed a three-point shot, got the rebound but again missed a short jumper.

Luckily, Imperial was given a third chance when teammate Michole Sorela. got the rebound and pass the ball back to Imperial.

Imperial finished with 16 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal for Mandaue,which handed Talisay its first setback after a 10-game sweep of the elimination round.

“He (Imperial) always comes up big when his number is called,” said Mandaue-KCS assistant coach Vince Urot.

“We all know him from his CESAFI days. He is not afraid to take those big shots in the grandest stage.”

After Imperial’s heroics, Talisay still had several chances to turn the game around.

But Jhaymo Eguilos missed two free throws and Vis-Min Cup Season MVP Jaymar Gimpayan faild to call a timeout due to a wild scramble.

Skipper Paulo Hubalde was then forced to throw a desperation heave that failed to hit the ring as time expired.

This is Talisay-MJAS Zenith’s first loss in the tournament after a 10-game sweep of the elimination round, which included two wins over Mandaue City that had an average winning margin of 14.0 points per game.

Gryann Mendoza added 16 points, including 11 in the final period, while Ping Exciminiano contibuted 10 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Patrick Cabahug led Talisay with 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting.

The scores:

KCS-Mandaue (67)– Imperial 16, Mendoza 16, Exciminiano 10, Bregondo 7, Sorela 6, Delator 4, Roncal 4, Tamsi 3, Castro 0, Soliva 0, Octobre 0, Nalos 0, Mercader 0, Bongaciso 0.

MJAS-Talisay (66) — Cabahug 12, Menina 11, Eguilos 8, Villafranca 8, Gimpayan 7, Hubalde 6, Moralde 3, Mojica 3, Santos 2, Casajeros 2, Acuña 2, Jamon 2, Alvarez 0.
Quarterscores: 12-18, 27-32, 47-44, 67-66.