By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Former UAAP superstar Ryan Buenafe turned back the hands of time after putting the entire Siquijor Mystics on his back in a thrilling comeback victory against the Dumaguete Warriors, 105-100, in the Visayas leg of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup.
Down 19 points, the entire Siquijor squad looked flat and needed something to happen in order to get back into the ball game. And it was Buenafe who stepped up.
The former Ateneo Blue Eagles Rookie of the Year and one of the most polished players to ever set foot in UAAP history began to explode that left the Warriors behind with his savvy ways to score to the basket.
Buenafe sparked a crucial 6-0 run all on his own to help Dumaguete take the lead, 96-95, which eventually extended to a 14-3 run for them.
The four-time UAAP champion finished the ball game with an enormous 24 points including six rebounds and six assists.
“I talked to him last night. I told him na kailangan kita dito. Isa ka sa mga faces ng Siquijor Mystics. Kailangan maramdaman ka ng team. Kung hindi man sa points, dapat sa assists, sa rebounds, sa buong laro,” said Dumaguete head coach Joel Palapal.
During his first game with Dumaguete, Buenafe was held scoreless by the KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue squad who later on confirmed that he was bothered by a sore foot.
Buenafe then responded with a performance of a lifetime and shocked the entire Pilipinas VisMin Cup with another clutch performance.
