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Shaq Imperial

Michole Sorela buries triple to push Zamboanga Sibugay past Pagadian in VisMin Cup

Sweet-shooting big man Michole Sorela sank the game-winning triple as Zamboanga Sibugay Anak Mindanao nipped the Pagadian Explorers, 71-70, in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Challenge on Friday at the Pagadian City Gymnasium.

Down 61-70 with 2:56 left, the Anak Mindanao Warriors went to work. First, it was new addition Monbert Arong who scored back-to-back layups before Jan Jamon nailed a corner trey to slice the gap to just two, 68-70, with 41 seconds left.

The Explorers then committed a crucial shot clock violation in the ensuing end.

Off a timeout, Zamboanga Sibugay head coach Arnold Oliveros designed a play for Sorela and it worked to perfection. The 6-foot-5 sweet-shooting big man found himself open at the top of the arc, shooting a triple and swishing it for the lead, 71-70, with six ticks to go.

Without any timeout, Pagadian ran the length of the court, and got the ball to Glenn Acaylar who was fouled by Jeff Acain with just 0.08 remaining. However, Acaylar did not take the freebies as he hurt his left shoulder during the play. He was replaced by deadly shooter Judel Fuentes.

However, luck smiled at the Warriors as Fuentes’ freebies both trickled out as time expired for the thrilling end.

Shaq Imperial topscored for Zamboanga SIbugay with 21 points, 12 in the fourth, to go with five assists, four rebounds, a steal, and a block.

Michole Sorela
Michole Sorela / VisMin Cup

Sorela finished with 10 points and five rebounds while Jamon tallied 11 points.

Arong got nine points and was a plus-11 in his 21 minutes on the floor. Fellow newcomer Jaybie Mantilla did not register a point but had four assists and was a plus-nine in 13 minutes.

Zamboanga Sibugay joined Roxas and MisOr at the top at 5-3 while giving Pagadian its fifth loss in eight games.

Edzel Mag-isa continued his fine play for the Explorers with 20 points and 12 rebounds while Acaylar nailed 14 points and six rebounds.

The Scores:

Zamboanga Sibugay 71 РImperial 21, Jamon 11, Sorela 10, Arong 9, Camacho 5, Dumapig 4, Caunan 4, Bangcoyan 3, Acain 2, Octobre 2, Mantilla 0, Pe̱aredondo 0, Lacastesantos 0, Gayosa 0.

Pagadian 70 – Mag-isa 20, Acaylar 14, Fuentes 11, Caballero 7, Ibanez 7, Uri 6, Dechos 3, Diaz 2, Tolentino 0, Pamaran 0, Demapilis 0, Demigaya 0, Pamaran 0.

Quarterscores: 17-14, 33-34, 44-54, 71-70.

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