ALCANTARA. – Ryan Buenafesummoned his old basketball magic as the Siquijor Mystics battled back from 19 points down to beat the Dumaguete Warriors 105-100 in the main game of the Visayas leg of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on Saturday night at the Civic Center here.
After being held scoreless in their loss to KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue on Friday, the former Ateneo star scored eight of his 24 points in the fourth period, including a six-point cluster late in the game that completed the Mystics’ incredible come-frombehind victory. Buenafe added six rebounds and six assists.
The Mystics also got 22 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and three steals from Desmore Alcober while Miguel Castellano also notched a double-double of 13 points and 12 boards.
Gene Belleza and Juan Aspiras registered 11 points apiece to help the Mystics even up their win-loss record at 1-1.
Siquijor head coach Joel Palapal said he spoke to Buenafe, who was bothered by a sore foot in Friday’s game against KCS.
“I talked to him last night. I told him na kailangan kita dito. Isa ka sa mga faces ng Siquijor Mystics.
Kailangan maramdaman ka ng team. Kung hindi man sa points, dapat sa assists, sa rebounds, sa buong laro,” Palapal said.
