Imperial’s triple saves Mandaue City in Game 1 of Vismin Cup Finals

CEBU: The KCS Computer Specialist Mandaue City proved to be lethal in the biggest stage of the  Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas Vismin Super Cup after pulling off a stunning 67-66 victory over the MJAS Zenith Talisay City Aquastars in Game One of the best-of-three championship series at the Alcantara Civic Center in Alcantara town here on Friday night, May 7, 2021.

KCS Computer Specialist handed the Aquastars its first loss in the Vismin Super Cup Finals by taking the series opener, thanks to the heroics of Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. Most Valuable Player (MVP) Shaquille Imperial.

With 40 seconds left to play, Imperial knocked down a triple, rescuing Mandaue City from the jaws of defeat as it squandered an 11-point lead in the fourth period.

With his team trailing by two points, 64-66, Imperial missed a three-point attempt, got the rebound and then, missed a short jumper. Luckily, the Cebuano streaky shooter got a third chance after an offensive rebound by Michole Sorela. This time, he sank the trey and pushed Mandaue City ahead, 67-66.

Talisay City had a shot at regaining the lead after big man Jhaymo Eguilos got fouled during his team’s offensive. However, the center flubbed both freebies, and Mandaue City forward Dyll Roncal secured the rebound to give his team possession with 32 ticks to go.

During KCS Computer Specialist’s next time down the court, Sorela clanked a short baseline jumper while fellow big man Bernie Bregondo missed a putback. Season MVP Jaymar Gimpayan came away with the loose ball with six seconds to go but could not call a timeout due to a wild scramble, leading skipper Paulo Hubalde to heave a Hail Mary of a three-pointer that hit nothing but air as time expired.

This is MJAS Zenith’s first loss in the tournament after a 10-game sweep of the elimination round, which included two wins over Mandaue City that had an average margin of 14.0 points per game.

Imperial led KCS Computer Specialist with 16 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Gryann Mendoza added 15 points with 11 coming in the fourth when Mandaue City threatened to blow the game wide open as it took a 62-51 lead with about 5 minutes to play. Ping Exciminiano added 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Patrick Cabahug led Talisay City with 12 points while Shane Menina chipped in 11 on a 3-of-9 clip.

Game Two is still at the Alcantara Civic Center on Saturday at 7 p.m.