Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines started strong and went on to beat Bacolod Bingo Plus, 77-65,on Tuesday 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 arranged 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.
The Zamboanga-Batangas title playoffs will begin on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the same venue.
