ALCANTARA — Scorching KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue City rolled to its fifth straight win after a 75-66 wire-to-wire victory over the ARQ Builders Lapu-Lapu, in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup, Friday at the Civic Center here in Cebu.
But it was not without a thrilling finish boosted by a late-game rally by the Heroes.
ARQ trailed 14-36 midway through the second stanza, and 57-72 in the latter part of the payoff period. The Builders then unleashed a 9-0 run capped by an and-one by Reed Juntilla to move within six, 66-72, with 1:06 left.
But Lapu-Lapu failed to score the rest of the way, giving KCS the hard-earned win.
“Great execution and everybody is doing their job. We followed the game plan and it paid off,” said KCS assistant coach Jabby Bautista. “Though may lapses sa endgame but still the defense won it for us.”
Mandaue put the defensive shackles on the Heroes right from the get-go, holding the Heroes to a 2-of-19 shooting clip in the first quarter while dropping 27 points, 27-7.
Dyll Roncal was hyper-efficient for KCS-Mandaue, making all but two of his nine attempts to finish with 14 points.
Michole Solera also breached double digits with 10 markers, on top of three boards and two assists. Meanwhile, Al Francis Tamsi drained three triples for nine points.
KCS-Mandaue strengthened its hold of the second spot behind a 5-1 win-loss record.
“Good thing na nangyayari ‘yung mga ganon situations that the other team is making a run, para the team will know what to do if mangyari ulit sa next games,” added Bautista.
The Heroes were playing their fourth game in as many days. They were led by Reed Juntilla with 18 markers, including 12 in the fourth period.
Dawn Ochea just missed a double-double with nine points and 14 rebounds.
ARQ slipped below .500 at 3-4, tied with Tabogon.
Lapu-Lapu guard Monbert Arong was ejected with 10.8 ticks left in the game after incurring his second flagrant foul.
KCS-Mandaue looks to hand MJAS Zenith-Talisay their first loss of the season tomorrow at the main game at 8 PM. Meanwhile, ARQ Lapu-Lapu aims to get back at the winning column against Dumaguete at 5 PM.
The Scores:
KCS-Mandaue 75 – Roncal 14, Solera 10, Tamsi 9, Cachuela 8, Mercader 7, Bonganciso 6, Imperial 5, Octobre 5, Delator 4, Mendoza 4, Soliva 3, Castro 0.
ARQ Lapu-Lapu 66 – Juntilla 18, Ochea 9, Tangkay 9, Lusdoc 9, Minguito 7, Arong M. 7, Arong F. 4, Galvez 2, Berame 1, Mondragon 0, Solis 0, Abad 0.
Quarterscores: 27-7, 44-30, 60-44, 75-66.
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