MANDAUE CITY – Hosts Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue became the first team to win a second weekly leg championship at the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V Saturday by edging the Misamis Oriental Meteors, 84-80, at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
Trailing by three entering the final period, 53-56, Mandaue leaned on a six-point explosion by Jan Villaver to grab the upper hand for good, 59-56. Villaver was not finished as he added five more and Mark Magsumbol shot steadily from the free throw stripe to erect Mandaue's biggest lead, 74-67.
With no less than team owner Gov. Oscar S. Moreno in attendance, the Meteors clawed back behind Egay Billones whose four points put them at their closest, 73-76, and 1:35 to play. However, Mandaue quicky countered with a Leo Losentes triple, 79-73.
Villaver gave the home fans anxious moments as he missed two free throws at the 17-second mark, which was followed by a Neil Raneses triple that allowed the Meteors to threaten for the last time, 80-83. Magsumbol fittingly placed a cap on the win with a free throw with four ticks on the clock that made it a two-possession game, 84-80.
Magsumbol and Villaver shared scoring honors for the champions of Joe Soberano and Rick King with 16 points each. Billones topped the Meteors of Coach Jun Noel with 17 followed by Ken Bono and Lyndon Gudez with 13 apiece.
For the second time, Magsumbol was named as the week's Most Valuable Player after leading the team with an average of 14.0 points. “We are happy that we were able to defend our home court considering this is probably the toughest leg this conference,” said Coach Tan.
Meanwhile, the Laguna Golden Lions of Gov. ER Ejercito and Coach Philip Cezar ended their trip on a positive note by mangling the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos in the battle for Third Place, 68-56. This marks the first time in Liga history that the three-time National Champion Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba finished in last place in a weekly leg.
Bryan Faundo dominated the M. Lhuillier bigs with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Cebuanos Glenn Bolocon and Earn Saguindel also played well for the Lions with a combined 24 markers. Nat Cruz and Bruce Dacia paced the Ninos with 13 points each.
Because of their victory, Mandaue vaulted to the top of the overall points standings with 27 points. The Ninos dropped to second with 24 points followed by the Meteors with 18 and the Golden Lions with 17. The Ilocos Sur CS Tigers and MP Warriors of GenSan occupy the last two spots with 11 and seven respectively.
Liga Pilipinas action takes a break this week and resumes on June 22 with the MP Warriors being visited by Mandaue, Golden Lions and CS Tigers. The games of Liga Pilipinas are made possible by San Miguel, Molten, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel.
How They Scored:
For Third Place
LAGUNA (68) – Faundo 14, Bolocon 14, Saguindel 10, Fampulme 6, Mercado 6, Glorioso 4, Legaspi 4, Bautista 3, Sanz 2, Flores 2, Athie 2, Lingal 1, Ricafuente 0, Feihl 0.
M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (56) – Cruz 13, Dacia 13, Raymundo 7, Lusdoc 7, Nailon 6, Baguion 3, Belano 3, Ababon 2, Santos 2.
Period Scores: 16-12, 31-24, 53-40, 68-56.
Championship
MANDAUE (84) – Magsumbol 16, Villaver 16, Losentes 11, Guiyab 9, Sta. Cruz 8, Doruelo 8, Mondragon 6, Marlon Basco 5, Capus 5, Dedicatoria 0.
MISAMIS ORIENTAL (80) – Billones 17, Bono 13, Gudez 13, Daa 12, Raneses 11, Misa 5, Lamocha 4, Salangsang 4, Poligrates 1, Capati 0, Lucernas 0.
Period Scores: 16-15, 37-38, 53-56, 84-80.PR
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