By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The JPS Zamboanga City squad survived the resilient Alza Alayon, 69-66, during the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup elimination duel.
It was one of the most thrilling games in the tournament as the heavy favorite Zamboanga squad faced tough competition against an Alayon team led by the dynamic scorer and former PBA player Eloy Poligrates who helped trim the lead to just one, 66-67, with 1:34 remaining in the ball game.
However, Zambo’s Fran Yu was the hero of the day and provided the much-needed stops and was the one who iced the game with his cold-blooded free throws.
Poligrates missed the three-point shot attempt that would’ve given them the lead which led to Yu’s free throws after getting fouled.
“Si Fran Yu young legs yan. Hindi nila kayang habulin ‘yon. Tapos ‘yung free throws niya, that was expected kasi sa practice pa lang magaling na talaga yan sa free throw. NCAA MVP eh, wala ng kaba,” JPS head coach Tony Pardo said.
The former NCAA Finals MVP with the Letran Knights finished the ball game with 12 points, five assists, four rebounds, one steal, and one block.
Meanwhile, PBA veteran and champion with the San Miguel Beermen Gabby Espinas turned back the hands of time and contributed a double-double for Zambo with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The hard-earned victory moved Zambo in the semifinals stage, squaring up against the heavyweight Clarin team led by former PBA gunners in John Wilson and Carlo Lastimosa.
