ZAMBONGA CITY marched into the semifinals of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup.
Fran Yu made the biggest plays on both ends for JPS as they nipped sixth seed Zamboanga del Sur, 69-66, on Thursday at the Pagadian City Gymnasium in Zamboanga del Sur.
A three-point play by Eloy Poligrates put ALZA Alayon down only 66-67 with 1:34 left in the match.
Looking for its first lead since the 2:54 mark of the first period, Jeff Tajonera launched a wide-open three from the right wing with 1:05 left, but it rimmed out.
Poligrates also missed a triple in the waning seconds, leading to free throws for Yu with 11.3 ticks remaining.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 Finals Most Valuable Player Yu calmly sank both free throws to stretch JPS’s lead to three, leaving a door open for ALZA Alayon.
But in the ensuing play, Dan Sara shot what could be the game-tying triple. However, the 5-foot-10 Yu blocked Sara to seal the deal for Zamboanga City.
Yu finished with 12 points, five assists, four rebounds, a steal, and a block.
Gabby Espinas, 39, was aging like fine wine, producing 14 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists for JPS. Mac Cardona also tallied nine points, five rebounds, three assists, and a block.
Jerome Ferrer was a spark plug off the bench with nine points and six rebounds.
Sara led ALZA Alayon with 14 points while Adrian Celada added 11 points.
Charles Pepito almost had a double-double with 10 points on a perfect 5-of-5 clip, to go with nine rebounds.
Waiting for JPS in the best-of-three semifinals first phase is the second-seeded Clarin. Game One is slated on Saturday, July 31, 6 pm.
Meanwhile, eight seed Kapatagan lived to fight another day in the quarterfinals after it stunned a third-ranked twice-to-beat armed Pagadian squad in its home soil, 96-82.
The make-or-break rubber match will be tomorrow at 6 pm. Waiting for the winner is fourth seed Petra Cement-Roxas.
Ryan Costelo scattered 19 points to go with five assists, while Teytey Teodoro dropped 14 points.