Corn Ranchers stun Kingfishers behind Sacayan’s 30-point show

CEBU, Philippines —  Sharpshooting guard AJ Sacayan exploded for 30 points as the Asturias Corn Ranchers staged a huge comeback in the second half to upset the Cagayan de Oro Sealcor Kingfishers, 74-71, in the 2022 Pilipinas Super League (PSL) 21 Under-VisMin leg yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Institute in Barangay Sawang Calero.

Sacayan also had four rebounds and two assists while Den Rick Orgong banged in 18 points and pulled down  seven boards to help the Corn Ranchers notch their third win in eight games.

 Asturias actually had a lackadaisical start resulting to a 12-point deficit at halftime, 31-43, but came alive in the final two quarters to turn the tables on the Kingfishers.

Seemingly energized after the short break, the Corn Ranchers launched a searing 26-15 run in the third period to narrow the gap down to just a hairline, 57-58, going into the lasty 10-minute mark of the contest.

The Kingfishers were on top for the last time at 68-67 as Orgong sank a pair of free throws before Sacayan hit a booming 3-pointer to push the Corn Ranchers ahead by four, 72-68, with only 57 seconds left to play.

Nine seconds later, the Kingfishers came threateningly close at 71-72 on a triple by Angelo Mercado but Jholo Pakanna answered with a driving layup to give a Corn Ranchers a three-point breather with 27 ticks to go.

The Kingfishers had a chance to forge an overtime but Bon Karlo Babia missed his crucial attempt from the beyond the arc in the final seven seconds.

Paul Danielle Redondo delivered a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds while Bling Sanexes Murillo added 11 points, four rebounds and three assists but their efforts went down the drain as the Kingfishers dropped to 4-4. — EBV