Laguna trounces Tigers, 75-64

EAM STANDINGS

Misamis Oriental Meteors 2-1

Laguna Golden Lions 2-1

Ilocos Sur CS Tigers 2-1

MP Warriors of GenSan 0-3

LAGUNA QUALIFIES TO FINALS OF LIGA PILIPINAS LAGUNA LEG

     SANTA CRUZ, Laguna – The host Laguna Golden Lions sneaked into Saturday’s championship game of the Laguna Leg of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V by trouncing the erstwhile undefeated Ilocos Sur CS Tigers, 75-64,Friday evening at the San Luis Sports Complex.

     On top by nine but needing nothing less than a win by 11 points or more to force a three-way tie at the top with the Tigers and the Misamis Oriental Meteors at 2-1 and hold the superior FIBA quotient, Boyet Bautista received theinbound pass from Glenn Bolocon and scored on baseline drive with a second left that meant the marginal points and a seat in the finale.  The Meteors topped the preliminaries with a 1.068 quotient while the Golden Lions barely beat out the CS Tigers for the second spot, 0.968 to 0.962.

     The Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Coach Johnedel Cardel had a championship berth well in hand until Jorel Canizares threw the ball away, prompting Laguna coach Philip Cezar to map one final play.  Canizares actually turned from hero to goat – he earlier made back-to-back baskets that reduced the Golden Lions’ lead to only eight and a minute to play.  Bryan Faundo made a free throw with 17 ticks left, 73-64, which was followed by Canizares’ error.

     Bolocon made 10 of his 20 points in the fourth period to push the Golden Lions further ahead.  He also added six rebounds.  Faundo had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.  Ismael Junio paced the Tigers with 16 followed by Chris Santos with 11.

     Earlier, the Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel strengthened their grip on a finals seat by keeping fellow Mindanao team MP Warriors of GenSan of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin Bonleon winless, 91-82

     The Warriors were only in the contest for the first four minutes, leading 11-10.  The Meteors then drilled in eight straight points and a total team efforted gave them the first period, 28-19.

     Christian Nicdao scored to put the Warriors within three markers at the three-minute mark of the final canto, 74-77.  Egay Billones then pumped in eight points in the Meteors’ 14-8 closing run, including a jumper with 21 seconds remaining that sealed their second win in three starts.

     Lyndon Gudez paced the Meteors with 14 points on three triples followed by Dino Daa with 12 points and five rebounds.  Louie Medalla fired five triples to tally 27 points while Alfie Grijaldo chipped in 16 for the Warriors.

     The Golden Lions and Meteors will play a one-game finale while the CS Tigers and MP Warriors will play for Third Place in the third of six weekly tournaments made possible by San Miguel, Molten, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel.  The Meteors slammed the Lions in their preliminary round encounter last Thursday, 91-75.

How They Scored:

First Game

     MISAMIS ORIENTAL (91) – Gudez 14, Daa 12, Billones 11, Capati 9, Misa 8, Salangsang 8, Raneses 7, Lamocha 7, Andaya 6, Lucernas 5, Bono 4.

     GENERAL SANTOS (82) – Medalla 27, Grijaldo 16, Nicdao 9, Cordero 9, Angeles 7, Sagad 4, Bucao 4, Parreno 2, Alih 2, Mendoza 2, Callo 0, Concepcion 0.

     Period Scores: 28-19, 51-43, 70-63, 91-82.

Second Game

     LAGUNA (75) – Bolocon 20, Faundo 12, Fampulme 8, Sanz 7, Legaspi 7, Saguindel 5, Bautista 4, Ejercito 4, Flores 4, Aldave 2, Ricafuente 2, Feihl 0.

     ILOCOS SUR (64) – Junio 16, Santos 11, Gonzalez 10, Vizcarra 6, Canizares 6, Palaganas 4, Ybanez 3, Williams 3, Jaime 2, de Castro 2, Agacer 1, Cacha 0.

     Period Scores: 27-16, 42-33, 59-51, 75-64.PR