STALLIONS DEFEAT WARRIORS, EYES LEG FINALS

STANDINGS

Misamis Oriental Meteors 2-0

Trace-Laguna Stallions 1-1

Forward Taguig 1-1

MP Warriors of GenSan 0-2



Games October 3 – Trace College-Los Banos

4:00 PM Battle for Third Place

6:00 PM Championship



STALLIONS DEFEAT WARRIORS, EYES LEG FINALS



LOS BANOS, LAGUNA – Host Trace-Laguna Stallions returned to the winning track by spanking the MP Warriors of GenSan, 76-63, in continuing action from the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Laguna Leg Friday evening at the Stallions’ Gym of Trace College.



Leading all the way, the Stallions were briefly threatened when Apol Coronado led an early third period run that put the Warriors of Manny Pacquiao and Coach Ramon Pido at their closest, 37-39. Jay-Arr Estrada responded by scoring nine of the Stallions’ next 11 points to stop the rally, 50-40.



From there, the Stallions ably managed their lead as Jan Villaver scattered 11 of the Stallions’ 21 fourth period markers in order to level their win-loss card at 1-1 and set up a knockout match with Forward Taguig for the second championship berth in the weeklong games supported by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).



"It is always so hard to go up against a southern team like Gensan. They are very aggressive and will wear you down. I'm just glad the boys responded to the challenge." stated Stallions Head Coach Nomar Isla.



Villaver paced the Stallions of Atty. Erwin Genuino and Coach Nomar Isla with 18 points while Estrada finished with 17 points. Dennis Concha was the lone Warrior in twin digits at 11. Dondon Mendoza was next with eight points.



Defending National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors of Gov. Oscar Moreno and Coach Jun Noel stayed undefeated at 2-0 and claimed the first berth earlier in the day with an 82-75 thrashing of Taguig of Mayor Freddie Tinga and Coach Bing Victoria.



The Meteors clawed back from as much as 14 points down, 42-56, in the third period. Lyndon Gudez fired nine points in a 15-1 run to begin the fourth period that restored the lead to the Meteors, 62-60.



A seesaw battle ensued, with Paul Reguera tying the game for the last time with a triple with 3:07 to play, 72-72. Taguig suddenly could not buy a basket. Gudez added two free throws and a triple followed by a Patrick Cabahug triple that gave the Meteors an unassailable 80-73 edge with 19 ticks on the clock.



Cabahug and Gudez continued to be Liga’s hottest scoring pair with 25 and 22 points respectively. Reguera topped Taguig with 18 points followed by Lou Gatumbato with 17.



Selected games from the Laguna Leg will be shown next week on Solar Sports from Wednesday to Saturday. Liga Pilipinas Classics are seen daily on Viva Prime Channel. Liga’s official website is at www.ligapilipinas.net.



How They Scored:



First Game



MISAMIS ORIENTAL (82) – Cabahug 25, Gudez 22, Saldua 9, Clavel 6, Mamaclay 6, Barcellano 6, Kong 4, Guiyab 2, Tagupa 2, Daja 0, Butel 0, Sanchez 0.



TAGUIG (75) – Reguera 18, Gatumbato 17, Sta. Cruz 15, Leynes 9, de Castro 8, Walsham 3, Moody 2, Longno 2, Marquez 1, de Guia 0, Vijandre 0.



Period Scores: 19-24, 38-42, 47-59, 82-75.



Second Game



LAGUNA (76) – Villaver 18, Estrada 17, Angeles 10, Capati 10, Doruelo 7, Misa 4, Sanz 3, Mangahas 2, Legaspi 2, Grijaldo 2, Bolocon 1, Hugnatan 0.



GENERAL SANTOS (63) – Concha 11, Mendoza 8, Coronado 7, Recustodio 6, Sagad 6, Ilanga 6, Gonzaga 4, Callo 4, Rubi 3, Farochillen 3, Medalla 3, Locsin 2, Tadena 0, Cabatu 0.



Period Scores: 18-14, 35-28, 55-45, 76-63.