Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur—Mindanao Leg champion Jumbo-Plastic Basilan aims to continue its unbeaten run when the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Southern Finals kicks off today.
Standing on the Peace Riders’ way though are Visayas titlists KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue.
Game starts at 6 p.m., still here at the Pagadian City Gymnasium.
Last Monday, Basilan clinched the Mindanao championship against Petra Cement-Roxas. Less than 48 hours after that, they are in for another war.
“Tapos na ‘yung celebration namin kaagad the night of our Mindanao Leg championship. Yesterday, we practiced and prepared for KCS,” Peace Riders head coach Jerson Cabiltes said.
Despite the dominant showing in its leg, Basilan will still be cautious when it collides with Mandaue.
“We know that KCS is a tough team. We celebrated the title but the fight is not over yet. We regrouped yesterday and we’re prepared for another war again,” said Peace Riders’ captain Jonathan Uyloan.
That KCS squad? Been there, done that.
They battled the once-mighty MJAS Zenith Talisay City, who swept the elimination round and gained an outright berth to the title round—just like Basilan, in the Visayas Finals.
Mandaue then stunned the Aquastars in three games, to walk away as the Visayas kings.
However, KCS took a major blow when their top guns in Gryann Mendoza, Ping Exciminiano, and Al Tamsi were called up by teams in Manila.
Stepping in for those were reigning CESAFI slam dunk champ Miguel Gastador and now-playing assistant coach Jax Bautista.
But nothing’s gonna change Mandaue’s approach to the game, even with their best players not able to join them in the Southern Finals.
“We’re gonna play the KCS way,” said head coach Mike Reyes.
Reyes said in order to beat a Basilan squad “with a good mix of veterans and youth with a deep bench”, they have to take advantage of each possession.
After all, the bragging right of being the best in the South is at stake.
“We have to value every possession. We have to make good use of our concepts and execute our defense.”
