Liga Zamboanga Day Two

STANDINGS (W-L)

Misamis Oriental Meteors 2-0

M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos 2-0

Zamboanga Uno Latinos 0-2

EKB-Apayao Rapids 0-2



Games Today (October 31) – Summit Centre (Universidad de Zamboanga)

4:00 PM EKB-Apayao Rapids vs. Zamboanga Uno Latinos (for Third Place)

6:00 PM M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos vs. Misamis Oriental Meteors (Championship)


NINOS, METEORS CRUISE TO 2ND STRAIGHT WIN



ZAMBOANGA CITY – Liga Pilipinas’ centerpiece rivalry will add another chapter after the defending National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors and former champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos crushed separate opponents Thursday evening to arrange a titular showdown for the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Zamboanga City Leg at the Summit Centre of the Universidad de Zamboanga.



Improving to similar and unreachable 2-0 win-loss cards, both teams will dispute the title tonight starting at 6:00 PM. Host Zamboanga Uno Latinos and the EKB-Apayao Rapids will play for Third Place at 4:00 PM.



The Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel punished the Latinos in the main game, 122-77, and remained in the hunt for the second automatic seat in November’s Super Leg that will crown the next National Champion of the league backed by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).



Melvin Mamaclay topped the Meteors with 24 points and 10 rebounds followed by Patrick Cabahug with 21 points off five triples. The reliable duo of Christopher Concepcion and Charleston Bolias again led the Latinos with 24 and 14 markers respectively but lacked support from the rest of the team.



Meanwhile, the Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba stretched their undefeated card to 14-0 by punishing the Rapids of Gov. Elias K. Bulut, 107-72.



“We want to enter the Super Leg on a positive note,” declared Coach Alcoseba. “Our goal is to bring back the National Championship to Cebu.” The Ninos were crowned the very first Liga Pilipinas National Champions on September 18, 2008 after they swept Taguig in the best-of-three series, 3-0



The same players from Wednesday’s 123-97 thrashing of the host Latinos reprised their roles with Ian Saladaga powering the blowout with 18 points and four assists. Stephen Padilla added 13 as six other Ninos submitted at least eight markers in a balanced attack. Leimar Navarro paced the Rapids with 12 points. Gester Ebuen recovered from a scoreless outing against the Meteors the other day by knocking in 11 points.



The best 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 on Viva Prime Channel. The league’s official website may be accessed at www.ligapilipinas.net.



How They Scored:



First Game



CEBU (107) – Saladaga 18, Padilla 13, Dacia 11, Nailon 10, Santos 10, Mepana 10, Malinao 8, Poligrates 8, Ababon 7, Magsumbol 5, Enriquez 3, Basco 2, Escobal 2.



APAYAO (72) – Navarro 12, Ebuen 11, Yambao 10, Junio 10, Dizon 6, Vitug 5, Santos 4, Cruz 3, Bonus 3, Evangelista 2, Cabico 2, Lustestica 2, Villareal 2.



Period Scores: 27-18, 56-37, 83-50, 107-72.



Second Game



MISAMIS ORIENTAL (122) – Mamaclay 24, Cabahug 21, Clavel 13, Barellano 12, Lamocha 11, Moreno 8, Saldua 8, Sanchez 8, Daja 7, Numeran 6, Butel 2, Misa 2, Guiyab 0.



ZAMBOANGA (77) – Concepcion 24, Bolias 14, Necesito 11, Rebollos 6, Lozano 6, Merced 6, Dellena 5, Climaco 4, Yap 1, Fabian 0.



Period Scores: 23-15, 63-34, 97-50, 122-77.