LAGUNA IS THE CHAMPION, GEN.SANTOS BAGS 3RD SPOT

     SANTA CRUZ, Laguna – The host Laguna Golden Lions were crowned
the champions of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V Laguna Leg
Saturday via a 94-92 decision over the Misamis Oriental Meteors at the
San Luis Sports Complex.

     In control of the game since the first period, the Golden Lions
of Gov. ER Ejercito and Coach Philip Cezar leaned on a Boyet Bautista
triple that gave them the lead for good, 6-4.  Bautista then joined
Glenn Bolocon and Bryan Faundo in maintaining their advantage.

     The Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel did not
easily give up as they began the third canto with a 9-2 run that put
them within a point, 44-45.  Bautista answered by scoring 10 points
and Faundo and Bolocon continued their scoring spree as the Lions
stayed on top entering the fourth period, 70-60.

     Egay Billones and Allan Salangsang presided over the Meteors’
final assault that cut their deficit to three, 79-82, and 4:24 left in
the game.  Again, it was Faundo and Bolocon that bailed out the Lions
with timely shots.  Bautista and Earn Saguindel sealed the victory
from the free throw line with ten ticks to go, 94-86.  Two late
triples by Dino Daa settled the final tally.

     Bolocon powered the Golden Lions with 21 points and seven
rebounds while Bautista added 19 points and eight assists.  Billones
paced the Meteors with 20 markers followed by Ken Bono and Allan
Salangsang who both finished with 14 each.

     For leading the Golden Lions with a 19.3 scoring average, Bolocon
was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.  It was redemption
for the hosts as they made up for their debacle in the Ilocos Sur Leg
a month ago wherein they lost all their four games.

     The Golden Lions earned 10 points for the championship to vault
them to Third Place in the overall Tour standings with 13.  The
Meteors picked up five points for a total of 11 and Fourth Place.

     In the playoff of Third Place, the MP Warriors of GenSan ended
their tournament on a positive note by prevailing over the Ilocos Sur
CS Tigers, 83-71.  The Warriors of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin
Bonleon lost all three preliminary round games.

     Christian Nicdao had a monster game with 19 points, nine rebounds
and five blocks.  Louie Medalla banged in five triples for 18 points.
Ismael Junio paced the Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Coach
Johnedel Cardel with 22 points highlighted by five triples.  Chris
Santos followed with 10 markers.

     Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue takes its turn to host the next
Liga Pilipinas Leg from June 8 to 11 at the Mandaue City Cultural and
Sports Center.  Visiting them will be the defending National Champion
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala, Cebu Ninos, Meteors and Golden Lions.

How They Scored:

For Third Place

     GENERAL SANTOS (83) – Nicdao 19, Medalla 18, Callo 11, Grijaldo
9, Concepcion 9, Timon 7, Angeles 5, Parreno 3, Sagad 2, Legada 0,
Bucao 0, Alih 0, Mendoza 0.

     ILOCOS SUR (71) – Junio 22, Jaime 10, Palaganas 9, Santos 7, E.
Sta. Maria 7, de Castro 4, Williams 4, Ybanez 3, Canizares 3, Cacha 2,
Gonzalez 0, Gali 0, Vizcarra 0.

     Period Scores: 26-20, 52-38, 67-62, 83-71.

Championship

     LAGUNA (94) – Bolocon 21, Bautista 19, Faundo 18, Legaspi 9, Sanz
7, Fampulme 6, Flores 6, Saguindel 4, Mercado 4, Ejercito 0, Feihl 0.

     MISAMIS ORIENTAL (92) – Billones 20, Daa 15, Bono 14, Salangsang
14, Misa 8, Lamocha 6, Raneses 5, Capati 4, Lucernas 4, Gudez 2,
Andaya 0.

     Period Scores: 22-12, 43-35, 70-63, 94-92.PR