Mandaue survives Dumaguete

KCS Computer Specialistmandaue City finished the first round on a winning note at resilient Dumaguete City’s expense, 79-73, in the Chooks-to-go Pilipinas Vismin Super Cup Visayas leg on Wednesday at the Civic Center Alcantara, Cebu.

Veteran guard Gryann Mendoza and young forward Dyll Roncal provided the finishing kick for Mandaue City which wound up with a 4-1 won-lost card in the eliminations—good for second place behind unbeaten MJAS Zenith-talisay City (5-0).

The Warriors roared back from a 52-65 third-quarter deficit and grabbed the lead, 6867, behind a sizzling 16-2 run anchored on the frenetic play of jitterbug guard Jaybie Mantilla.

The score changed hands after that until Mendoza split his charities to give Mandaue City a 72-71 lead with a minue and 18 seconds left.

Dumaguete City tried to regain the lead on the next play but Mark Doligon missed a layup and Mandaue City quickly took advantage as Roncal scored in transition to put them up at 74-71. Mantilla then missed a potential game-tying triple and Mendoza put the game away on the next play with a cold-blooded triple for a 77-71 Mandaue City cushion with 28 seconds to go.

But Mandaue City Head Coach Mike Reyes was disappointed as his team struggled to close out Dumaguete.

“Maybe we are tired from last night’s game but that’s not an excuse to let go of a 17-point lead,” Reyes rued. “We can’t let this happen especially in the second round.”

Mendoza continued his string of great performances, this time piling up 20 points and 10 rebounds. Rhaffy Octobre added 13 points, nine boards, and three assists for Mandaue City, while Roncal contributed 11.

Mantilla led the Warriors (1-4) with 21 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals, while Doligon and Ronald Roy had 13 points apiece.