Liga Zamboanga Day Three

STANDINGS (W-L)

M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos 3-0

Misamis Oriental Meteors 2-1

EKB-Apayao Rapids 0-2

Zamboanga Uno Latinos 0-3



CEBU NINOS SWEEP ZAMBO LEG ELIMS, GUN FOR 4TH TITLE



ZAMBOANGA CITY – The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos continued their undefeated run by stopping the defending National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors, 78-73, in a preview of the championship game of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Zamboanga City Leg Friday evening at the Summit Centre of the Universidad de Zamboanga.



With the win, the team of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul Alcoseba remained undefeated in all their 15 games thus far in the conference backed by Smart, Molten, Accel, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). They will pick up a two-point bonus for sweeping all their three preliminary games in the leg if they win their 4th straight leg title and achieve the rare "golden 60" or a perfect elims record.



After winning their Wednesday and Thursday games via routs, the Ninos and Meteors finally faced an acid test in each other as they battled through nine deadlocks, the last being at 71 with 1:45 remaining.



The Ninos outsteadied the Meteors as Mark Ababon hit a big three point shot and big man Frank Nailon made crucial free throws to seal the win.



Nailon, who played for the Meteors in Conference I last year, came off the bench and produced 18 points and six rebounds to lead the Ninos. Mark Ababon followed with 16 points. Patrick Cabahug paced the Meteors with 23 points followed by Eder Saldua with 21. However, the rest of the Meteors struggled, unable to back up their two gunners.



The Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel hope to get back at the Ninos in Saturday’s leg finale in order to earn 10 points and move into Second Place overall in the Tour Standings, strengthening their hopes for an automatic berth in the five-team Super Leg that will determine the next National Champion this November.



In the nightcap, the EKB-Apayao Rapids registered the franchise’s very first Liga Pilipinas win by trouncing the host Zamboanga Uno Latinos, 100-77.



Losing their first five games, the Rapids of Gov. Elias K. Bulut raced to a 27-18 lead after one period and never looked back. The Latinos have one last chance to snatch the last playoff berth for the Super Leg should defeat the Rapids in the Third Place game. The MP Warriors of GenSan currently hold Eighth Place with eight points compared to the Latinos’ five points.



Nat Cruz played his best game as a Rapid with 18 points, 11 rebounds and four assists off the bench. Starter Leimar Navarro supported him with 17 points in only 15 minutes of play. Charleston Bolias topped the Latinos with 21 points and eight rebounds followed by Jayson Rebollos with 15.



Choice 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. The league’s official website is at www.ligapilipinas.net.



How They Scored:



First Game



CEBU (78) – Nailon 18, Ababon 16, Saladaga 11, Basco 9, Magsumbol 9, Dacia 7, Poligrates 2, Padilla 2, Santos 2, Mepana 2, Enriquez 0.



MISAMIS ORIENTAL (73) – Cabahug 23, Saldua 21, Lamocha 9, Misa 8, Butel 4, Barcellano 4, Moreno 2, Mamaclay 2, Daja 0, Guiyab 0.



Period Scores: 15-15, 30-32, 60-57, 78-73.



Second Game



APAYAO (100) – Cruz 18, Navarro 17, Junio 12, Dizon 10, Bonus 10, Santos 8, Vitug 7, Ebuen 5, Cabico 4, Evangelista 3, Lopez 2, Bumanglad 2, Lustestica 2, Yambao 0, Villareal 0.



ZAMBOANGA (77) – Bolias 21, Rebollos 15, Necesito 10, Merced 8, Graebel 7, Concepcion 7, Lozano 7, Navarro 2, Fabian 0.



Period Scores: 27-18, 46-32, 71-50, 100-77.