Consolacion, Bukidnon strike back to force winner-take-all Game 3s
THE Consolacion Sarok Weavers retaliated against the Sherilin-Unisol Mandaue Plastic Men in dominant fashion, authoring a 74-61 beatdown in Game 2 to force a winner-take-all Game 3 for all the marbles in the Visayas division of the Pilipinas Super League 21-Under at the Cordova Sports Complex.
After a close first period that saw them lead by just four, 20-16, the Sarok Weavers took full control of the match in the second with a 25-14 surge that put them in front by 15, 45-30, at halftime. Consolacion continued their barrage and eventually led by as much as 21, 57-36, after a bucket by Dave Paulo with 2:28 to go in the third canto.
After a quiet several games, Keaton Taburnal came back to life and led Consolacion with 19 points. Paolo Dalumpines also bounced back from a dismal Game 1 and registered 12 points and seven assists.
The Sarok Weavers also got some nice production from their bench led by Rovello Robles who had 11 and Paulo who finished with 11 markers.
Meanwhile, over in the Mindanao division, the Bukidnon Cowboys edged the Davao Occidental Dreamers, 61-60, to also force a rubber match for the Mindanao crown.
Forward Laven Uy donned the hero’s cape for the Cowboys as he drained a free throw area jumper with 13 seconds remaining to give his team the lead for good. Bukidnon then forced Davao Occidental wingman Rainier Maga into a difficult jumper that missed to secure the thrilling victory.
Raul Gentallan led Bukidnon with 16 points, while Uy and Ivo Salarda added 14 markers apiece.
The Game 3s of the Visayas and Mindanao divisions are still being played as of press time.