Basilan sweeps Mandaue, claims inaugural crown
Jumbo Plastic-Basilan finished off KCS-Mandaue, 83-65, to emerge as the first-ever champion of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Friday, Aug. 13 in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
Michael Mabulac and Jay Collado led the way as the Peace Riders swept the best-of-five series and completed a perfect run of winning all 13 games dating back to the start of the Mindanao Leg.
Collado topscored with 15 points while Mabulac had 13 points and 14 rebounds to share the Finals Most Valuable Player honors.
Michael Juico added 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals for Basilan.
“Talagang napakasarap nitong championship na ito kasi ang hirap ng basketball ngayong pandemic. We are fortunate na na nakakapaglaro kami pero now na nag champion tapos na 13-0 pa, it's on a whole another level,” said Basilan coach Jerson Cabiltes.
Aside from winning the crown, Basilan will also receive P1 million courtesy of title sponsor Chooksto-Go aside from the P500,000 for bagging the Mindanao Leg.
Basilan took the series opener, 94-67, before surviving Mandaue’s comeback attempt late to claim Game 2, 96-91, the previous night.
This time, the Peace Riders made sure they wouldn't give the Computer Specialists another lifeline as they took a 43-30 halftime lead before scoring the first 15 points of the third for a commanding 58-30 advantage.
Gileant Delator had 14 points and five steals for Mandaue, which entered the series without the core of its Visayas Leg-winning squad in Ping Exciminiano, Gryann Mendoza and Alfrancis Tamsi.
Mandaue, however, will get P500,000 as a consolation.