Liga Zamboanga Day Four

Games Wednesday (November 4) – Apayao

4:00 PM Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue vs. Smart Pampanga Buddies

6:00 PM EKB-Apayao Rapids vs. Trace-Laguna Stallions



NINOS ACHIEVE "GOLDEN 60", WIN 4TH STRAIGHT LEG TITLE


ZAMBOANGA CITY – Golden perfection! The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos became the first team to achieve a clean sweep of all their touring games after they halted defending National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors, 91-81, for the championship of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Zamboanga City Leg Saturday night at the Summit Centre of the Universidad de Zamboanga.



The Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba won all their 16 games in the elimination phase to finish with 60 out of a possible 60 points and grab the undisputed top seeding entering the Super Leg later this month that will crown the next National Champion of the league made possible by Smart, Molten, Accel, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).



Limited to only an average of four points in the preliminary round, power forward Ariel Mepana exploded for 19 points off the bench to lead the Ninos. Mark Magsumbol added 16 points in his best performance as a Nino. Eder Saldua fired 28 points for the Meteors but designated shooter Patrick Cabahug was limited to only 13 points after averaging 23.3 points in their first three outings.


"More than the record its good to know that the team is so motivated and determined to bring back the crown to our fans in Cebu. Our four legs will mean nothing however if we don't bring our game to the National Finals. But we'll savor this feeling first. " said Coach Alcoseba



The Ninos will now await the identity of the second outright qualifier plus the three wild cards. The Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel earned five points for placing second and finished with 33 total points, enough to push them to Third Place past Forward Taguig that has 32 points. The Quezon Red Oilers currently occupy Second Place with 35 points as they await the results of the final leg this week in Apayao.



The Third to Fifth Placers will be paired with the Sixth to Eight Placers in three separate series with the higher-ranked team enjoying the twice-to-beat and home court advantage. The three series winners advance to the Super Leg with the two outright qualifiers.



Meanwhile, the EKB-Apayao Rapids of Gov. Elias K. Bulut went home with Third Place after rallying from 21 points down and repeating over the host Zamboanga Uno Latinos, 105-84. The Rapids thus registered back-to-back wins and gives them good momentum as they prepare to host the final leg starting this Wednesday when they welcome the Trace-Laguna Stallions, Smart-Pampanga Buddies and Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue.



The loss caused the Latinos to miss the playoffs for the third straight conference with only six points and one win in 16 games. The MP Warriors of GenSan thus claimed the eighth and final playoff seat with eight points. The Latinos remained winless at home, dropping all 13 games since last year.



Ismael Junio led the Rapids with 23 points followed by Leimar Navarro with 15. Jayson Rebollos paced the Latinos with 25 points while Charleston Bolias added 21 points and 11 rebounds.



Selected games from the Zamboanga City Leg will be aired next week on Solar Sports from Wednesday to Saturday. Also, Liga Pilipinas Classics are seen daily over Viva Prime Channel. For more details, visit www.ligapilipinas.net.



How They Scored:



For Third Place



APAYAO (105) – Junio 23, Navarro 15, Robles 13, Bonus 13, Cruz 11, Vitug 10, Dizon 6, Santos 6, Cabico 4, Bumanglad 2, Lustestica 2, Yambao 0, Evangelista 0, Ebuen 0, Villareal 0.



ZAMBOANGA (84) – Rebollos 25, Bolias 21, Concepcion 16, Graebel 7, Merced 6, Necesito 5, Lozano 4, Navarro 0, Yap 0.



Period Scores: 11-22, 45-54, 79-69, 105-84.



Championship



CEBU (91) – Mepana 19, Magsumbol 16, Padilla 14, Enriquez 10, Saladaga 10, Basco 9, Santos 6, Poligrates 3, Nailon 2, Dacia 2, Ababon 0.



MISAMIS ORIENTAL (81) – Saldua 28, Cabahug 13, Misa 13, Daja 9, Lamocha 6, Mamaclay 5, Barcellano 3, Butel 2, Sanchez 2, Clavel 0, Moreno 0, Guiyab 0.



Period Scores: 16-18, 42-34, 66-58, 91-81.