ALCANTARA, Cebu ‒ MJAS Zenith-Talisay City sent the Visayas finals of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Cup to a winner-take-all Game Three after edging KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue, 63-56, Saturday at the Civic Center here.
Playing with a sense of urgency after losing Game 1, 67-66, ‒ the team’s first defeat after completing 10-game sweep of the double-round elims – the Aquastars used a strong start and blazing finish to even up the title series at 1-1.
Despite getting off to a hot start that saw them take an 11-point lead, the Aquastar looked doomed after falling behind 48-41 early in the fourth period.
But they got the break in the most unwanted way when Mandaue’s go-to-guy Ping Exciminiano exited the game with 8:38 to go because of an apparent leg injury.
The absence of Exciminiano changed the complexion of the game as season MVP Jaymar Gimpayan, Darrell Menina, Jhaymo Eguilos, Egie Boy Mojica and Paulo Hubalde came to life and sparked a 16-2 blast that put them ahead, 57-50.
Mandaue managed to pull within 59-56 but it proved to its last gallant stand as Hubalde canned in two gift shots and Menina scored off Mandaue’s error to finally seal the deal.
Both teams were battling it out for the title at presstime.
“The boys showed heart, ayaw talaga nila magpatalo,” said Aquastars head coach Aldrin Morante. “Pinakita nila yung character nila coming off a loss last night.”
Menina, a Mythical Five guard of the CESAFI, led Talisay City with 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists while Hubalde, who was noticeably more aggressive on the offensive end, had 11 points, six boards, four assists, and two steals.
Gimpayan added eight points, eight boards, and three steals.
Exciminiano paced KCS with 14 points, eight rebounds, two dimes, and three steals while Rhaffy Octobre and Mendoza chipped in 11 markers each, the latter piling on 13 rebounds, seven assists, and a blocked shot.
Game One hero Shaq Imperial was limited to just four points on 1-of-7 shooting and three turnovers.
The scores:
MJAS-TALISAY 63 – Menina 15, Hubalde 11, Cabahug 8, Gimpayan 8, Mojica 7, Jamon 4, Acuna 3, Eguilos 3, Villafranca 2, Mabigat 2, Santos 0.
KCS-MANDAUE 56 – Exciminiano 14, Mendoza 11, Octobre 11, Nalos 4, Sorela 4, Imperial 4, Soliva 4, Cachuela 2, Bregondo 2, Tamsi 0, Roncal 0, Bonganciso 0, Delator 0, Mercader 0.
Quarters: 15-4, 24-23, 41-41, 63-56.
