CEBU NINOS REMAIN UNDEFEATED

TEAM STANDINGS


M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos 2-0

Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue 2-0

Ilocos Sur CS Tigers 0-2

Misamis Oriental Meteors 0-2





CEBU NINOS REMAIN UNDEFEATED



Games on May 21 – Cebu Coliseum

4:00 PM Ilocos Sur CS Tigers vs. Misamis Oriental Meteors (for Third Place)

6:00 PM M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos vs. Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue (Championship)



CEBU CITY – The defending National Champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos and Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue remained undefeated via contrasting victories in continuing action from the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V Cebu City Leg at the Cebu Coliseum Thursday night.



The host Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba survived a maze of turnovers and recovered in time to hold off the Misamis Oriental Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel, 82-72.



An early 14-2 edge behind Stephen Padilla, Frank Nailon and Ian Saladaga was all M. Lhuillier needed as they led all the way. However, a spate of turnovers allowed the Meteors to remain within striking distance through the baskets of Lyndon Gudez, Dino Daa and Patrick Cabahug.



Padilla, whose play in the Ilocos Sur Leg was hampered by a hamstring injury, showed the stuff that made him last year’s Tournament of the Philippines MVP by firing two triples in the final three minutes to seal the deal. He finished with a total of 15 points on top of five rebounds and five assists. Mark Abadia followed with 12 markers. Gudez, who played for M. Lhuillier four years ago, led all scorers with 20 followed by Cabahug with 15.



In the opener, Hafer Mondragon picked up a loose for the unmolested field goal with 1.4 seconds to play to lift Mandaue past the Ilocos Sur CS Tigers, 67-66. After the Tigers threw away the ball at the eight-second mark, Ariel Capus fired an inbound pass from the Mandaue backcourt that resulted in a mad scramble at the free throw circle that led to Mondragon’s winner.



Chito Jaime, nursing an injured shooting hand, fired a triple to cap a 10-0 run with 1:44 remaining that gave the CS Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Coach Johnedel Cardel a 66-62 advantage. In the next sequence, Mark Magsumbol completed a three-point play off Galen Cacha to threaten, 65-67.



Capus led the way for the quintet of Joe Soberano and Coach Jun Tan with 14 points followed by Magsumbol with 11. Jaime was hot early as he scored 19 of his 22 points in the first half. Jemal Vizcarra and Ramsey Williams submitted 12 points apiece but the rest of the CS Tigers struggled with their offense.



Both M. Lhuillier and Mandaue improved to 2-0 and will meet again today for the leg championship. The Tigers and Meteors will dispute Third Place in the tournament supported by San Miguel, Accel, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel.



How They Scored:



First Game



MANDAUE (67) – Capus 14, Magsumbol 11, Dedicatoria 9, Doruelo 8, Mondragon 6, Mario Basco 5, Villaver 4, Villanil 3, Guiyab 3, Marlon Basco 2, Sta. Cruz 2, Gabica 0.



ILOCOS SUR (66) – Jaime 22, Vizcarra 12, Williams 12, Ybanez 4, Santos 4, E. Sta. Maria 4, Junio 3, Palaganas 3, de Castro 2, Cacha 1, Agacer 0, Canizares 0.



Period Scores: 12-14, 28-37, 52-46, 67-66.



Second Game



M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (82) – Padilla 15, Abadia 12, Santos 10, Raymundo 10, Saladaga 9, Nailon 6, Ababon 6, Dacia 6, Rodriguez 5, Baguion 3, Cruz 0, Belano 0.



MISAMIS ORIENTAL (72) – Gudez 20, Cabahug 15, Daa 14, Lamocha 7, Raneses 4, Salangsang 4, Misa 3, Villariza 2, Capati 2, Lucernas 1, Andaya 0, Tagupa 0, Bono 0.



Period Scores: 19-14, 38-31, 58-50, 82-72.PR