ALCANTARA, Cebu. – Veteran wingman Reed Juntilla provide the spark as ARQ Builders-Lapu-Lapu City scored a 67-57 win over the resilient Dumaguete Warriors Tuesday in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup at the Civic Center here.
The victory pushed ARQ atop of the standings in the Visayas leg with a 2-0 record while Dumaguete suffered its second loss in as many games.
The Warriors had the upperhand for most of the game as they led 34-30 at the midway point of the third after consecutive three-pointers by guard Nikki Monteclaro.
But Juntilla went to work, scoring eight straight points on midrange jumpers to spark a 12-0 run and help give the Heroes a 46-37 lead going into the last period.
The Warriors pulled to within five 45-50 after a tough fallaway jumper by Jeric Nacpil but ARQ answered with 11 unanswered points in a two-minute span, six coming from burly forward Ferdinand Lusdoc, to take a 61-50 lead.
Dumaguete last threatened at 54-61 after another basket by Nacpil but a free throw by Vincent Minguito and another layup by Lusdoc shut the door on any possible comeback by the Warriors.
Lusdoc led the way for ARQ with 14 points, three rebounds, an assist, and a steal while Juntilla finished with 12 points, four boards, and three dimes. Jerick Cañada had an all-around game, piling up nine points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
