SANTO DOMINGO, Ilocos Sur – Defending champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos held off the final spirited charge of the host Ilocos Sur CS Tigers, 68-65, to annex the SMC Liga Pilipinas Ilocos Sur Leg crown Saturday night (April 30) in front of another huge crowd at the Santo Domingo People’s Center.
Ready to turn the game into a blowout, the Ninos of Michel Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba erected their biggest lead entering the final period, 50-38, with Jayford Rodriguez and Nat Cruz already hitting double figures.
However, the Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Coach Johnedel Cardel drew strength from the home fans as Galen Cacha, Erwin Sta. Maria and Chito Jaime conspired to slowly cut their deficit. Ramsey Williams then drained a triple at the 12-second mark to threaten, 65-67.
Rodriguez drew a foul but could only split his two free throws, one of 13 misses overall by M. Lhuillier in the tight contest, for the 68-65 tally and 3.7 ticks on the clock. Coach Cardel called a timeout but in the final play, Sta. Maria missed a triple that could have forced overtime.
Rodriguez scored five his 16 points in the fourth period. Cruz backed him up with 15 followed by Abby Santos who added seven of his 10 markers to hold off the Tigers’ rally. Williams topped the Tigers with 12 points. Cacha and Jaime chipped in 10 points each.
A day earlier, the Ninos escaped with an 83-82 win over the Tigers to sweep the three-game preliminary round. “It was tough with all the new players on our roster but we pushed ourselves because we want to bring more honors to Cebu,” said winning coach Alcoseba. “We also congratulate the Tigers for their good play and for their good hosting of this week’s games.”
For his scintillating play throughout the week, Rodriguez was named as Most Valuable Player with an average of 18.5 points per game. It was a fitting reward for the former University of the Visayas Green Lancer whose promising career was stalled by injuries in the past two years. “Thank you to Coach Yayoy for believing in me and giving another chance,” said the soft-spoken swingman.
In the first game, the MP Warriors of GenSan continued their mastery of the Laguna Golden Lions to cop Third Place, 83-73. The Warriors of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin Bonleon also defeated the Golden Lions of Gov. ER Ejercito and Coach Nomar Isla in the preliminary round, 89-88.
Laguna’s last gasp came on a Boyet Bautista triple that tied the count at 27-27 late in the second period. From there, Alfie Grijaldo and Dondon Mendoza scored four points each to give the Warriors the driver’s seat for good and the halftime tally pegged at 35-30.
Former Laguna player Grijaldo again punished his old team with 20 points followed by Mendoza with 16 points and six rebounds. Jonathan Aldave paced Laguna with 21 markers but none of his mates scored twin digits. Bryan Faundo followed with only nine points and six rebounds.
The SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V takes a one-week break with action resuming on May 11, 2011 with the Golden Lions taking their turn to host games at the San Luis Sports Complex in Santa Cruz, Laguna.
How They Scored:
For Third Place
GEN. SANTOS (83) – Grijaldo 20, Mendoza 16, Sagad 8, Medalla 8, Nicdao 7, Bucao 6, Angeles 6, Timon 4, Parreno 2, Callo 2, Cordero 2, Alih 2, Concepcion 0.
LAGUNA (73) – Aldave 21, Faundo 9, Bautista 8, Bolocon 7, Mercado 5, Sanz 5, Ricafuente 5, Feihl 4, Athie 4, Saguindel 2, Glorioso 2, Fampulme 1.
Period Scores: 16-16, 35-30, 57-51, 83-73.
Championship
M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (68) – Rodriguez 16, Cruz 15, Santos 10, Saladaga 6, Abadia 5, Padilla 5, Ababon 4, Belano 4, Dacia 2, Lusdoc 1, Nailon 0, Raymundo 0, Baguion 0.
ILOCOS SUR (65) – Williams 12, Cacha 10, Jaime 10, Vizcarra 7, E. Sta. Maria 7, Ybanez 6, de Castro 6, Agacer 0, Graebel 0.
Period Scores: 18-16, 30-26, 50-38, 68-65.PR
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