KCS-Mandaue crumbles in Finals opener

CEBU, Philippines — Winning the grand title of the country’s first professional basketball league based in southern provinces is a gargantuan mission they have to bear.

The KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue City learned that reality the hard way after they got crushed by the mighty Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders, 94-67, in the opener of the best-of-five 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Cup Southern Finals on Wednesday night at the Pagadian City gymnasium in Zamboanga del Sur.

   The Computer Specialists made the first basket of the game courtesy of Joseph Nalos, but that would be the last time they’ve seen the scoreboard in their favor.

The Peace Riders staged a scorching rally immediately thereafter and never looked back after cruising to a 44-31 halftime edge.

“Noong first half, we couldn’t pull away kasi on some plays disorganized kami sa executions. Sinabihan ko lang sila na just follow the pattern sa executions at mas tigasan pa ang depensa,” said Basilan head coach Jerson Cabiltes.

Not yet done, the Peace Riders dropped a 16-3 bomb to pad their lead to 26 points, 60-34, with still 6:15 left in the third period.

Their biggest advantage though stood at 36 points, 86-50, at the final 5:43 mark of the contest.

Mindanao Leg Finals MVP Chris Bitoon paced Basilan with19 points, three assists, and two steals.

Jong Baloria followed suit with 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Michael Mabulac punched in 11 points and six rebounds.

Michael Juico, Philip Manalang, and Bobby Balucanag tallied 10 points apiece underscoring Basilan’s balanced attack.

Steve Castro was the lone bright spot for KCS with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, to go with five rebounds and two assists. New addition Miguel Gastador added 11 markers in a losing effort. — EBV