Cebu Ninos win over Ilocos Sur CS Tigers

TEAM STANDINGS
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos 1-0
Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue 1-0
Misamis Oriental Meteors 0-1
Ilocos Sur CS Tigers 0-1

CEBU NINOS WIN OVER ILOC SUR CS TIGERS

Games on May 20 – Cebu Coliseum
4:00 PM Misamis Oriental Meteors vs. Ilocos Sur CS Tigers
6:00 PM Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue vs. M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos

     CEBU CITY – Defending National Champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos continued its dominance of the visiting Ilocos Sur CS Tigers, 78-65, on opening day of the Cebu City Leg of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V Wednesday at the Cebu Coliseum.

     After beating the CS Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Coach Johnedel Cardel twice en route to the championship of the Ilocos Sur Leg two weeks ago, the Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba turned anew to Ilocos Sur MVP Jayford Rodriguez and Ian Saladaga to power a 12-3 run late in the second period that shattered a 26-26 deadlock and the hosts never looked back.  M. Lhuillier easily took the half, 41-33.

     Nat Cruz, who once played for Ilocos Sur in Conference II when they were still called the Bravehearts, pumped in 10 of his team-best 15 markers in the second half to thwart the CS Tigers’ repeated attempts to rally.  Cruz also hauled nine rebounds.

     Rodriguez and Saladaga both finished with 13 points each.  New recruit Jorel Canizares made an instant impact in his Ilocos Sur debut by firing 22 points but lacked support from his teammates.  Chito Jaime and Ariel de Castro followed Canizares with 13 and 12 markers respectively.  The rest of CS Tigers combined for 18 points.

     In the first game, the new-look Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue of Joe Soberano and Coach Jun Tan sent out shockwaves by tripping the favored Misamis Oriental Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel, 67-60.

     After battling through eight deadlocks and 11 lead changes, Harold Sta. Cruz and Hafer Mondragon hit back-to-back baskets that gave Mandaue the lead for good late in the second period, 30-29.  The duo continued their show in the third period as they pushed Mandaue to their biggest lead of the game, 45-34, on a field goal from Conference I MVP Marlon Basco.

     Floyd Dedicatoria and Jan Villaver then combined with Sta. Cruz to continuously frustrate the Meteors with timely baskets.  Axel Doruelo sank a triple for a 64-56 cushion and Ariel Capus tossed in three more free throws to preserve the victory.

     Sta. Cruz topped Mandaue with 13 points on top of seven rebounds.  Mark Magsumbol also had 13 points, 12 coming in the first half.  Patrick Cabahug paced the Meteors with 15 points but none of his teammates managed to produce double digits.

How They Scored:

First Game

     MANDAUE (67) – Magsumbol 13, Sta. Cruz 13, Mondragon 8, Dedicatoria 8, Villaver 7, Capus 7, Marlon Basco 6, Doruelo 3, Guiyab 2, Villanil 0, Gabica 0.

     MISAMIS ORIENTAL (60) – Cabahug 15, Raneses 8, Lamocha 7, Capati 6, Daa 6, Salangsang 5, Gudez 4, Villariza 3, Misa 2, Saldua 2, Bono 2, Andaya 0, Tagupa 0, Lucernas 0.

     Period Scores: 18-18, 34-31, 47-43, 67-60.

Second Game

     M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (78) – Cruz 15, Rodriguez 13, Saladaga 13, Padilla 11, Abadia 8, Santos 6, Nailon 5, Belano 5, Baguion 2, Ababon 0, Dacia 0, Raymundo 0, Lusdoc 0.

     ILOCOS SUR (65) – Canizares 22, Jaime 13, de Castro 12, Ybanez 4, Palaganas 4, Cacha 3, Vizcarra 3, Agacer 2, Williams 2, Gali 0, Junio 0, Santos 0, E. Sta. Maria 0.

     Period Scores: 22-15, 41-33, 62-50, 63-78.PR