ZAMBOANGA Family’s Brand Sardines started strong and went on to beat Bacolod Bingo Plus, 77-65, on Wednesday and advance to the South division finals in the OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika Pipilipinas Basketball League) at the Vitaliano Agan Coliseum in Zamboanga City.

Egged on by the sellout crowd, Zamboanga fielded an unconventional starting five to surge ahead, 26-12, from which Bacolod never fully recovered.

Zamboanga thus took the best-of-three series, 2-1, and arrange a similar best-of-three affair for the division crown against Batangas City Embassy Chill.

Trying a new ploy, Zamboanga coach Vic Ycasiano started with Irven Panecia, Chris Dumapig, Ralph Tansingco and John Mahari and Manuel Mosqueda who played with a lot of spunk to surprise Bacolod.

And once, they have Zamboanga’s offense going, the usual starters–twins Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino, Chito Jayme, Jhaymo Eguilos and Jhaps Bautista–took over to finish the job.

Despite playing for only 22 minutes, Jaycee wound up with 21 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals to earn best play honors.

Jaime contributed 11 points and 4 rebounds, while Ralph Tansingo chipped in 10 points.

Bacolod got 14 points and 9 rebounds from Jhan McHale Nermal and 12 points from Joel Lee Yu.

The team’s spiritual leader Mark Yee fouled out in the fourth quarter and ended up with 8 points and 11 rebounds, while Alwyn Alday settled for 8 points.

“We did all the adjustments necessary,” said Ycasiano. All I asked of them is to start strong and it happened.”

The Zamboanga-Batangas title playoffs will begin on Saturday, November 19 at the same venue.

The 2022 Miss Earth candidates were introduced to the huge crowd during the halftime break with Mayor John Dalipe and MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes in attendance.

This year’s swimsuit competition will be held here on Wednesday with the main pageant set Nov. 29 at the Okada Manila resort casino in Paranaque City.