Roxas vs Zamboanga semis duel begins Wednesday
Gabby Espinas (27) of JPS Zamboanga City is heavily guarded by Roxas’ Lester Reyes during their elimination round game last July 18. | VisMin Super Cup Photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines—The Petra Cement-Roxas Vanguards and the JPS Zamboanga City begin their phase two semifinal clash in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on Wednesday, August 3, 2021, at the Pagadian City gymnasium in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
The fourth-seed Vanguards and the fifth seed JPS will play in a best-of-three series to determine who will face the unbeaten and top-ranked Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders in the Mindanao leg finals.
Tip-off is at 5 PM.
In their lone matchup in the eliminations last July 18, Roxas emerged winner via a Lester Reyes buzzer-beating layup.
JPS still vividly remembers that final shot.
“The thing we will remember is this is a bounce-back game for us kasi the last time we were beaten with a buzzer-beater,” said JPS head coach Tony Pardo. “Bounce back talaga will be the focal point of our game plan.”
For Roxas’ head coach Eddie Laure, they are prepared for JPS’ retaliation.
“Kailangan naming mag-prepare nang husto. ‘Yung detalye ng game plan namin dapat one page at the book kami. Hindi kami pupwede magbara-bara dito kasi beterano lahat itong Zamboanga,” Laure said.
To have the same result with their elimination round matchup, the Vanguards head tactician said everyone needs to step up. Just like how balanced their scoring was back in their last game.
“Lahat kami kailangan asahan ang bawat isa. Lalo ‘yung bench namin kailangan mag step-up kasi malaking bagay sila para makapagpahinga ‘yung mga major minutes,” said Laure.
“Sa amin sa Roxas wala kami noong isa o dalawa lang ang aasahan namin, kailangan lahat kami ibigay ‘yung A-game namin para makuha ‘yung series against Zamboanga.”
Roxas eliminated the host team, Pagadian Explorers, 67-61, on Monday after winning two games of their best-of-three series in the first round of the semifinals.
JPS, meanwhile, staged a huge upset by ousting the second seed Clarin Sto. Niño also last Monday by winning two straight games in their best-of-three semis series.
/bmjo
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