PAGADIAN. – Pagadian spoiled the debut of newcomer Zamboanga Sibugay 97-90 Monday night in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Challenge at the City Gymnasium here.
In less than three minutes in the third quarter, the Explorers blew the game wide open.
With the team up by just two, Glenn Acaylar, Judel Fuentes, and John Quimado combined for 16 unanswered points to take an 81-63 lead with 45 ticks left in the third.
The closest Zamboanga Sibugay could get was within eight several times in the payoff period, a barrier it could not break until the waning seconds of the match.
Fuentes led the Explorers’ offensive barrage with 21 points on four treys to go with five rebounds and two steals.
Niño Ibañez backstopped him with 17 points on an 8-of-10 clip from the field while Quimado and Von Dechos combined for 22 as Pagadian rose to 2-1.
Zamboanga Sibugay was led by Joseph Peñaredondo who had 19 points, four rebounds, and four steals.
Globalport-MisOr opened its campaign in dominant fashion, routing Iligan 89-77.
Trailing by double digits the entire third quarter, the Archangels embarked on a comeback trail in the fourth.
They went on a 13-4 start to close in at 68-76 but nine straight points from Jao Agbong, Reil Cervantes, Mac Baracael, and Andoy Estrella restored order for the Valientes 85-68 with 2:23 to go.
“We just have to use our experience. Hindi tayo pwedeng makipagsabayan sa kanila. We have to settle down,” said MisOr head coach Vis Valencia. “’Yun ‘yung advantage ng may beterano, hindi sila nag panic.”
