CAGAYAN de Oro’s John Tayontong and Red Louis Cachuela played a crucial role in the extension period as the CDO Higalas nosed out Basilan BRT, 93-89 in overtime in the 2022 Pilipinas Super League Pearl of the Orient Cup on March 22 at the Dipolog Sports Complex.
The Higalas mentored by Edgardo ‘Boy’ Dacoco also nipped the Bicol Spicy Oragons, 85-82 in another thrilling overtime win that provides them an impressive 2-1 win-loss start in the league that features some former PBA players.
“Red (Cachuela) had a monster game,” coach Dacoco’s son Stephen said of the former Xavier University standout who collected 13 points, nine rebounds, and one assist in 32 minutes of play against Basilan.
The CDO Higalas had almost squandered a 23-point lead in the face of Basilan’s searing rally instigated by explosive Cebuano forward Jason Melano. But Tayontong and Cachuela put matters on their hands in the extra period to bail the Higalas out of trouble.
The Higalas’ back-to-back wins via overtime were also largely attributed to Jess Villahermosa, who was adjudged Cocolife Player of the Game for posting an all-around performance of 13 markers, two boards, nine assists, and six steals as well as ex-Cesafi MVP Jaybie Mantilla, who scored 13 points and hurled seven rebounds in his debut with the Cagayan de Oro team.
