AFTER months of frustration, Basilan vented its ire on ALZA Alayon Zamboanga del Sur yesterday, scoring an 82-48 win as the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Leg got going at the Provincial Gymnasium in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
The game was Basilan’s first since its Game 2 win in the 2020-21 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Division Finals back on March 20, 2020. Basilan changed its moniker from Steel to the Peace Riders in VisMin.
Up by just eight going into the second frame 15-7, the Peace Riders’ offense caught fire, outscoring ALZA Alayon 25-7 to end the half with a huge 40-14 margin.
“After nung first quarter, sinabihan ko ‘yung players ko na huwag silang magmadali, focus lang,” said Peace Riders coach Jerson Cabiltes.
The lead ballooned to as high as 42 at 78-36 on a Darwin Lunor deuce off a post move at the 4:23 mark of the payoff period.
Michael Mabulac led Basilan with 16 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. He also registered a game-best plus-32 rating.
