
Jumbo Plastic-Basilan moved on the cusp of capturing the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup crown after surviving KCS-Mandaue, 96-91, in Game 2 of their best-of-five title series Thursday, Aug. 12 in Pagadian City.
The Peace Riders needed a late surge to hold off the Computer Specialists, who trimmed a 12-point deficit down to two halfway into the fourth quarter, and gain a commanding 2-0 lead in the championship series.
Jonathan Uyloan scored 19 points, Jay Collado had 17 points, five rebounds and four assists while Michael Mabulac added 13 points and 14 rebounds for Basilan, which will go for the clincher the following night.
Rhaffy Octobre posted a game-high 27 points with six rebounds and four assists but Mandaue couldn’t complete its comeback.
Mandaue put up a more-competitive showing after dropping the series opener, 94-67, the other night.
But Basilan built a 75-65 lead going into the fourth as Chris Bitoon scored a layup to cap off a 14-5 windup.
The Computer Specialists trailed 83-71 in the payoff period before 10 straight points that ended on a Joseph Nalos basket to narrow the Peace Riders’ lead to 83-81, 5:14 to go.
Basilan, however, refused to buckle as Mabulac, Collado and Mindanao Leg Most Valuable Player Hesed Gabo conspired on an 8-0 run to make it 91-81 with 2:31 left in the contest.