Ex-Blue Eagle Buenafe carries load for Siquijor
ALCANTARA — Ryan Buenafe summoned his old basketball magic to help bring the Siquijor Mystics back from 19 points and vanquish the Dumaguete Warriors 105-100 in the main game of the Visayas leg of the 2021 Chooksto-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup late Saturday at the Civic Center here.
After being held scoreless in their loss to KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue on Friday, the Ateneo great scored eight of his 24 points in the fourth period including a six-point cluster late in the game that completed the Mystics’ incredible come-from-behind victory.
Buenafe added six rebounds and six assists.
The Mystics also got 22 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and three steals from Desmore Alcober while Miguel Castellano notched a double-double, tallying 13 points and 12 boards.
Gene Belleza and Juan Aspiras registered 11 points apiece for Siquijor to help the Mystics even up their winloss record at 1-1.
Siquijor coach Joel Palapal said Buenafe was bothered by a sore foot during the KCS game.
“I talked to him last night. I told him na kailangan kita dito. Isa ka sa mga faces ng Siquijor Mystics. Kailangan maramdaman ka ng team. Kung hindi man sa points, dapat sa assists, sa rebounds, sa buong laro,” said Palapal.
Dumaguete started hot with six three-pointers in the first period to surge in front 38-19. However, Siquijor eventually grabbed the lead 96-95 after a a 14-3 run capped off by an Alcober layup with 7:05 to go.
The Warriors briefly regained the lead but the Mystics grabbed it back after three free throws by Buenafe. The former pro then sank a triple from the left wing to push Siquijor’s lead to five. Another trifecta from Belleza raised it to 105-97 with 4:03 remaining.
Ronald Roy and James Regalado led Dumaguete in scoring with 18 points each while former CESAFI MVP Jaybie Mantilla tallied 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Nikki Monteclaro contributed 12 markers, two boards, and three assists while Jerick Nacpil and Mark Doligon added 11 points each.
Siquijor will next face AQQ Builders-Lapu-Lapu (1-0) on Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Scores:
SIQUIJOR 105 – Buenafe 24, Alcober 22, Castellano 13, Belleza 11, Aspiras 11, Penaflor 9, Gooc 5, Tangcay 4, J. Buenafe 2, Rodriguez 2, Quiro 2.
DUMAGUETE 100 – Regalado 18, Roy 18, Mantilla 15, Monteclaro 12, Doligon 11, Nacpil 11, Velasquez 6, Gabas 5, Aguilar 4, Ramirez 0, Gonzalgo 0, Porlares 0.
Quarters: 23-38; 60-70; 82-92; 105-100