
Fresh from its Mindanao leg triumph, Jumbo Plastic-Basilan returns to action on Wednesday, August 11, against Visayas winner KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue in Game 1 of their best-of-three series for the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup crown in Pagadian City.
Basilan, which defeated Petra Cement-Roxas to take the Mindanao championship, hopes to extend its unbeaten run in the 6 p.m. match against Mandaue, which topped the Visayas leg that ended last May in Alcantara City, Cebu.
The Peace Riders won all eight games in the eliminations before sweeping the finals series with the Zamboanga del Norte squad.
Coached by Jerson Cabiltes, Basilan appears to be the heavy favorites owing to its deep roster composed of Mindanao leg Most Valuable Player Hesed Gabo, Finals MVP Cris Bitoon, ex-PBA cagers Jonathan Uyloan and Michael Mabulac, Michael Juico, Jong Baloria, JR Taganas and Bobby Balucanag.
Another advantage for Basilan is the absence of players who were instrumental in Mandaue’s title upset of previously unbeaten Talisay City in the Visayas leg title showdown.
Finals MVP Ping Exciminiano and Gryann Mendoza are now with TNT in the PBA while Alfrancis Tamsi was signed by Phoenix.
Mandaue coach Mike Reyes is hoping that former University of San Jose-Recoletos highflyer Miguel Gastador and playing assistant coach Jax Bautista can make up for the absence of the three players.