Pacman Warriors clinch outright berth in Minda finals

VISAYAS DIVISION
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City 8-2
Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue 8-2
Arthro Kontra Arthritis-Cebu 4-6

MINDANAO DIVISION
MP Warriors-GenSan 5-4
Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr 2-6
Duterte Agilas-Davao 1-8

Game on November 18 – Almendras Gym6:00PM Duterte Agilas-Goldstar Hardware vs. Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr

KORONADAL CITY – The MP Warriors-GenSan clinched an outright berth in the Mindanao Division Finals of the 2007 Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Second Conference with a hard-earned win over the gritty Goldstar Hardware-supported Duterte Agilas-Davao, 90-84, last Thursday (November 15) at the South Cotabato Gym and Cultural Center.

The Warriors of boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao and Coach Ramon Pido repeated their mastery over the Agilas of Coach Rhoel Josol, who they defeated last November 13 at the Almendras Gym, 91-80.

The Warriors rose to 5-4, thus snuffing the chances of Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr.

MisOr (2-6) was playing the Warriors at press time last night and was praying for a Warriors defeat in order to catch up in the standings of the league sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) and generously supported by ML Kwarta Padala, Nature’s Spring Water, Sulpicio Lines, Accel, Cokaliong Shipping, Reva Sandals, Gameface.Ph and Nike Basketball.

The Warriors took their biggest lead of the game, 59-47, on a basket by Roderick Ramos midway through the third quarter. Suddenly, the Agilas awoke with Bob Cozy Ilanga leading a 12-5 run to start the final quarter capped by a Boboy Berami stab that brought the Agilas to their closest, 73-75, and 4:45 on the clock.

In the ensuing play, grizzled veteran Jomer Rubi played fireman by sinking a triple, 78-73. The Agilas then failed to score a field goal, forcing them to give up fouls to buy time. Despite another triple from Ilanga with a minute to play, 78-84, the Warriors countered with Rubi and Louie Medalla shooting well from the free throw line to preserve the win.

The Agilas had a good start, taking the first period, 20-18, with Berami hitting 10 markers. Then just like in their first meeting, Warrior Apol Coronado exploded in the second canto, clustering six unanswered points to erase a 28-32 deficit and give his side the lead for good, 34-32. Halftime was pegged at 44-37.

Jeffy Locsin scored a personal conference-high of 14 points to lead the Warriors followed by Medalla and Donald Tadena with 10 each. Berami topped the Agilas with 20 points while Fred Sampilo added 14 and Ilanga 13.

In the final game of the 30-game classification round, the Agilas face MisOr on November 18 at the Almendras Gym starting at 6:00PM. The game could decide who among the two teams will hold the precious home court advantage in the best-of-three Mindanao Division Wildcard round set to begin on either November 19 or 20.

MisOr subdued the Agilas in their first meeting, 100-89, at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro last October 8.

How They Scored:

MP WARRIORS-GENSAN (90) – Locsin 14, Medalla 10, Tadena 10, Coronado 9, Farochillen 8, Rubi 7, Menor 7, Recustodio 6, Ramos 6, Daja 6, Callo 4, Deligero 2, Cabanlit 1. DUTERTE

AGILAS-DAVAO (84) – Berami 20, Sampilo 14, Ilanga 13, Solis 8, Te 7, Delica 6, Gonzaga 5, Atablanco 4, Mejorada 4, Sagad 2, Razon 1, Bajenting 0. Period Scores: 18-20, 44-37, 70-61, 90-84.(Anthony E. Servinio)