Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Player of the Week: Mark Caguioa

MARK Caguioa's indomitable spirit is coming to the fore anew - and just when Barangay Ginebra needs it the most.
With the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period July 18 to 24 coming up with some very impressive figures the Kings notched back-to-back wins to remain on track for a coveted slot in the Governors Cup.
"Mark is proving he is still our main man," noted coach Jong Uichico after Caguioa came off the bench to average 23.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in Ginebra's victories over Rain or Shine at the end of the elimination phase and B-MEG at the start of their semifinal round campaign.
It was the second such citation in two weeks for Caguioa, who was also so honored by the scribes for the period July 4-10 and Uichico said he could not agree more. 
"You would
always want a player like Caguioa, who will always battle, compete. It doesn’t
matter what the odds are, kahit me dinaramdam sa katawan niya. Kung kaya niya
ilalaban niya," stated Uichico.
"Mark is indeed a true warrior and a competitor."
Caguioa highlighted his splendid week with a personal career-high 33 points, laced by nine rebounds, in 32 minutes as Ginebra carved a 99-79 victory over B-MEG last Sunday. He single-handedly outscored the entire Llamados, 16-14, in the second quarter to turn a five-point deficit into a 12-point spread at halftime and scattered nine more points in the fourth to ensure the lopsided triumph and cap the output which is his highest in the last three years.
Against Rain or Shine Caguioa only had 13 points, but eight of those came in the homestretch as he helped power the Kings out of a tight game and into a 98-90 victory.
Those triumphs gave the perennial crowd favorites a 6-3  win-loss record that put them at second-running spot, just a game behind leader Talk N Text's 7-2 slate.
And at the rate Caguioa is going, it is not too far-fetched to assume Ginebra is on its way to a Finals stint.[pr]

Monday, July 18, 2011

Player of the Week: LA Tenorio

TO say LA Tenorio is the barometer for the Alaska Aces is not an overstatement,
for no less than coach Tim Cone declares it to be so.
“No doubt, LA is our leader on the floor,” said Cone of his heady playmaker who
led Alaska’s charge in back-to-back wins and into the semifinals of the PBA
Governors Cup, making him the unanimous choice as Accel-PBA Press Corps’ Player
of the Week for the period July 11 to 17.
Tenorio proved this by averaging 18.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in
victories over Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra. Those numbers are marked
improvements to his first six games in the season-ending tourney, when he was
norming 11 points and 4.3 rebounds.
The 27-year-old simply explains the improvements to his game by saying new
acquisitions Jayr Reyes, Wesley Gonzales, Hans Thiele and Aris Dimaunahan have
fully incorporated themselves into the system.

“I think our team is starting to understand the system. In the first few games
inconsistent kami kasi nangangapa pa kami sa isa’t-isa. Now medyo nakukuha na
namin ang rhythm namin at hopefully tuloy-tuloy na,” said Tenorio.
The fact the right elbow injury that bothered him even before the tourney
started also helped.
“That affected my game din siguro. Malaking factor ‘yung nag-re-recover na
injury ko,” he stated.
That was first evidenced in the week before, when he notched 20 rebounds, six
rebounds and six assists in a win over Powerade, but fully unveiled in the match
against Rain or Shine last Wednesday.

Tenorio highlighted a 22-point, eight-rebound performance with two clutch
triples in the last 63 seconds of the third period that broke Alaska away from a
four-point game and into a cruising 88-83 triumph.
Import Jason Forte notched his first 20-20 game with 24 points and 20 rebounds
in a tighter 83-79 victory against Ginebra last Saturday but Tenorio was not too
far behind, his 15 points being the lone double-digit output by a local Ace.
Those victories gave the Aces a 5-3 win-loss record they will carry over into
the six-team, single round semis, where Cone expects Tenorio to continue
sparking his teammates to greater heights.
“He won’t be intimidated by anybody or any situation and that attitude rubs off
on his teammates, which, in turn, makes us strong mentally. His presence gives
us a chance to be an elite team in the PBA,” stated Cone.(pr)

Misamis Oriental dethrones MLKP-Cebu, 66-60

 CAGAYAN DE Oro City - The Misamis Oriental Meteors caputured the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V National Championship by dethroning the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos, 66-60, in the one-game playoff Sunday evening at the jam-packed Xavier University Gymnasium.

     This marks the second National Championship in franchise history and the first since Conference II in 2009.  It also ended two straight conferences of losing out to the same M. Lhuillier squad in the National Finals.

     Behind by seven points midway in the third period, 35-42, the Meteors went on a 13-3 led by Lyndon Gudez that gave them the driver’s seat for good, 48-45.  A late basket by Cebu’s Ariel Mepana closed out the third period, 47-48.

     Gudez then joined Ken Bono and Rudy Lingganay in giving the home squad its biggest lead of the low-scoring game, 56-49.  Not yet ready to relinquish its crown, M. Lhuillier fought back and managed to tie the count for the last time at 58-58 on an Abby Santos field goal with 7:05 to play.

     Neil Raneses restored the lead to the Meteors with two free throws and Ronald Lamocha scored on an short stab to ease the pressure at the midpoint of the fourth period, 62-58.  Both sides suddenly could not find the hoop, with M. Lhuillier missing four crucial free throws, including two by Nat Cruz at the 47-second mark that could have sliced the Meteors’ 64-60 edge in half.

     Lingganay then hit the championship clincher in the next sequence, a 17-foot jumper that gave the Meteors an unassailable 66-60 cushion with 22 ticks to play.  Stephen Padilla, who had two triples in the first period, missed a triple to seal M. Lhuillier’s fate.

     Lingganay topped the Meteors with 10 points and four rebounds followed by Gudez with nine points.  Allein Maliksi was the high man for M. Lhuillier with 22 points and five rebounds but lacked support from his teammates.  Ian Saladaga was next with seven points and 10 rebounds.  Mark Ababon also had seven points.

     The jubilant Meteors received their trophy from Liga Pilipinas President and CEO Noli Eala amidst a huge crowd of supporters that spilled onto the court to share in the triumph.  For his overall contributions during the six-day tournament, Raneses was then named as the Super Leg Most Valuable Player (MVP).

     “It was a well-deserved victory,” said Meteors team owner Gov. Oscar S. Moreno.  “It could have gone either way but the breaks of the game were for us.  For his part, winning coach Jun Noel noted how his team improved throughout the Tour Phase.  “This is sweeter because it erases all the frustrations we had in the past,” said the veteran mentor.

     For a while, M. Lhuillier of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba looked headed for its third straight National Championship and fourth overall after leading at the half, 32-29.  The Meteors started slow and could only muster nine points in the first period.  M. Lhuillier led by as much as nine markers in the second canto, 22-13.

     Earlier in the day, the Laguna Golden Lions of Gov. ER Ejercito and Coach Philip Cezar took home Third Place at the expense of Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue of Joe Soberano and Rick King and Coach of the Conference Jun Tan, 85-77.

     Bryan Faundo led the Golden Lions with 20 points followed by Conference V MVP Glenn Bolocon with 15.  Mandaue was paced by Vic Manuel with 22 markers and seven rebounds while Axel Doruelo added 14.  Mandaue played minus team leader Mark Magsumbol who nursed a back injury.

     The just concluded SMC Conference V was supported generously by San Miguel, Molten, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel.  Liga Pilipinas Conference VI is tentatively set to openon August 17, 201.

How They Scored:

For Third Place

     LAGUNA (85) - Faundo 20, Bolocon 15, Sanz 10, Franco 10, Legaspi 9, Glorioso 7, Bautista 3, Flores 3, Saguindel 2, Fampulme 2, Feihl 2, Asoro 2, Martinez 0.

     MANDAUE (77) - Manuel 22, Doruelo 14, Capus 10, Villanil 6, Losentes 6, Mondragon 4, Dedicatoria 4, Marlon Basco 3, Sta. Cruz 3, Guiyab 3, Villaver 2.

     Period Scores: 20-18, 43-38, 64-59, 85-77.

Championship

     MISAMIS ORIENTAL (66) - Lingganay 10, Gudez 9, Bono 8, Billones 7, Raneses 7, Daa 6, Lamocha 6, Misa 4, Larong 4, Capati 3, Lucernas 2, Gerilla 0, Moreno 0.

     M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (60) - Maliksi 22, Saladaga 7, Ababon 7, Padilla 6, Mepana 6, Belano 5, Cruz 4, Santos 2, Dacia 1, Nailon 0, Raymundo 0.

     Period Scores: 9-15, 29-32, 48-47, 66-60.(pr)

Sunday, July 17, 2011

MisOr books last spot

FINAL STANDINGS
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos
Misamis Oriental Meteors 3-1
Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue 2-2
Laguna Golden Lions 1-3
MP Warriors of GenSan 0-4

     CAGAYAN DE Oro City – The host Misamis Oriental Meteors booked the last spot in the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V Super Leg National Championship game by erasing top seed Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue, 70-63, Saturday at the Xavier University Gym.  The Meteors will meet defending champion and archrival M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos.

     With the scored tied at 25-25, Dino Daa nailed triple and Rudy Lingganay scored on back-to-back lay-ups in the final minute to give the Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel the lead for good by the half, 33-25.

     Mandaue of Joe Soberano and Rick King tried their best to rally behind Vic Manuel and Ariel Capus but timely baskets by Lyndon Gudez and Ken Bono resulted in the Meteors’ biggest cushion early in the fourth period, 53-41.  Manuel and Capus continued Mandaue’s attempts to come back but Egay Billones, who played with an injured hand, made two free throws and added a basket in the final minute of play to preserve the win.

     Bono took Best Player honors with 14 points and eight rebounds.  Daa supported him with 10 points.  Manuel topped Mandaue with 21 points followed by Capus with 14.  Both teams entered the game tied with similar 2-1 win-loss records.

     Sunday’s championship game marks the fourth straight conference that the Ninos and Meteors will play for the National Championship.  The Meteors took Conference II after which the Ninos took the next two conferences.

     In the second game, the Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba formalized their entry into the finals by disposing of the Laguna Golden Lions of Gov. ER Ejercito and Coach Philip Cezar, 90-82.  The Ninos finished the preliminaries with a four-game sweep while the Lions dropped to 1-3.

     Stephen Padilla put up a vintage shooting performance by connecting six triples in the first half alone to push M. Lhuillier ahead, 52-41.  The Lions behind the tandem of Bryan Faundo and Glenn Bolocon fought back to temporarily give them the upper hand after three periods, 67-65.

     Ian Saladaga opened the fourth with a drive and Padilla was not finished as he added another triple as their defense held Laguna sans a field goal for the first six minutes and M. Lhuillier pulling away, 79-71.

     Padilla finished with eight triples for a total 26 points.  Saladaga added 10 points.  Bolocon and Faundo paced Laguna with 15 and 14 markers respectively.

     In between Saturday’s games, Liga Pilipinas gave out the conference’s individual awards led by Bolocon who went home with the Most Valuable Player award as well as the Best Scorer.  The major awardees included Mandaue coach Jun Tan as Coach of the Conference, Suzette Gentallan of the Meteors as Executive of the Conference and Mark Magsumbol of Mandaue taking the Sportsmanship Award.  The other winners for the different statistical categories were Faundo for rebounds, Alex Angeles of the MP Warriors of GenSan for assists, Harold Sta. Cruz of Mandaue for blocks and Felix Belano of M. Lhuillier for steals.

     The games of Liga Pilipinas are made possible by San Miguel, Molten, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel and are seen on Basketball TV from Monday to Saturday at 5:30 PM.

How They Scored:

First Game

     MISAMIS ORIENTAL (70) – Bono 14, Daa 10, Billones 9, Gerilla 9, Lingganay 8, Raneses 7, Gudez 5, Moreno 5, Capati 2, Larong 1, Misa 0, Lamocha 0.

     MANDAUE (63) – Manuel 21, Capus 14, Magsumbol 13, Sta. Cruz 6, Losentes 5, Mondragon 2, Doruelo 2, Marlon Basco 0, Guiyab 0, Villaver 0, Dedicatoria 0.

     Period Scores: 15-13, 33-25, 44-38, 70-63.

Second Game

     M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (90) – Padilla 26, Saladaga 10, Dacia 9, Santos 8, Belano 8, Raymundo 5, Maliksi 5, Mepana 5, Cruz 4, Ababon 3, Nailon 2, Baguion 2, Jeffries 2, Hayes 1.

     LAGUNA (82) – Bolocon 15, Faundo 14, Franco 14, Saguindel 8, Sanz 7, Bautista 5, Flores 5, Glorioso 4, Martinez 3, Asoro 3, Fampulme 2, Feihl 2, Legaspi 0.

     Period Scores: 19-22, 52-41, 65-67, 90-82.(pr)

Saturday, July 16, 2011

MLKP vs. MisOr/Mandaue in finals, Laguna vs. Pacman Warriors for 3rd

TEAM STANDINGS
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos 3-0
Misamis Oriental Meteors 2-1
Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue 2-1
Laguna Golden Lions 1-2
MP Warriors of GenSan 0-4

Games on July 17 – Xavier University Gymnasium
4:00 PM Laguna Golden Lions vs. Pacman Warriors GenSan (for Third Place)
6:00 PM M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos vs. MisOr/Mandaue (Championship)

     CAGAYAN DE Oro City – Top seed Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue and host Misamis Oriental Meteors toppled separate opponents Friday in the SMC Liga Pilipinas Super Leg at the Xavier University Gymnasium to set the stage for a knockout game for the second spot in Sunday’s National Finals game.  Both teams hold 2-1 win-loss cards and will play each other on the final day of the preliminaries.

     With team owner Gov. Oscar S. Moreno in attendance, the Meteors of Coach Jun Noel controlled majority of the contest and led by as much as 19 points midway in the third period, 62-43.  That did not faze the Golden Lions of Gov. ER Ejercito and Coach Philip Cezar as they roared back in the final period.

     Silent in the first three periods, Bryan Faundo and Glenn Bolocon finally found their shooting touch as they powered the Golden Lions’ rally.  Bolocon scored to threaten at the 38-second mark, 80-86, but solid free throw shooting by Neil Raneses down the stretch preserved the win.

     The victory came at a cost though as Meteors scoring leader Egay Billones hurt his hand and left the game early in the second period.  Ardy Larong sat out the game after injuring his hamstring in the previous game.

     Lyndon Gudez led the Meteors with 19 points and five steals while Raneses added 14 points.  Faundo paced the Golden Lions with 17 markers and seven rebounds followed by Bolocon and Robert Sanz with13 apiece.

     In the second game, Mandaue’s masterful 77-58 win over the MP Warriors of GenSan was marred by a fracas with 59 seconds to play and the outcome long decided.  Jasper Callo punched Harlow Villanil on the nape resulting in both players’ ejection and technical fouls on both teams for entering the court.

     That incident aside, Mandaue of Joe Soberano and Rick King and Coach Jun Tan led from the opening buzzer.  They never stopped from there as they increased their lead to as much as 28 points via a series of triples from Leo Losentes to begin the fourth period, 71-43.

     Ariel Capus buried three triples en route to topping Mandaue with 18 points.  Losentes also had three triples as part of his 13 points.  Jonathan Parreno was the high man for the Warriors with 14 followed by Louie Medalla with nine points.  By dropping all their four games, the Warriors of Rep. Manny D. Pacquiao and Coach Arvin Bonleon will automatically take Fifth Place.

     The defending National Champions M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos, who are undefeated in three games, drew a bye on Day Four and is already assured of a spot in the National Championship game regardless of the outcome of the final preliminary games.

     The games of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V are shown over Basketball TV from Monday to Saturday at 5:30 PM with the support of San Miguel, Molten, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel.

How They Scored:

First Game

     MISAMIS ORIENTAL (92) – Gudez 19, Raneses 14, Bono 13, Billones 10, Misa 8, Lingganay 8, Daa 6, Lamocha 6, Capati 4, Lucernas 4, Gerilla 0, Moreno 0, Navarro 0.

     LAGUNA (85) – Faundo 17, Sanz 13, Bolocon 13, Franco 10, Saguindel 7, Legaspi 6, Glorioso 5, Bautista 4, Feihl 4, Asoro 4, Flores 2.

     Period Scores: 22-19, 45-37, 70-54, 92-85.

Second Game

     MANDAUE (77) – Capus 18, Losentes 13, Manuel 12, Mondragon 9, Magsumbol 6, Marlon Basco 5, Sta. Cruz 5, Doruelo 3, Guiyab 2, Villaver 2, Dedicatoria 2. Villanil 0.

     GENERAL SANTOS (56) – Parreno 14, Medalla 9, Grijaldo 8, Nicdao 7, Musni 4, Cordero 4, Sagad 2, Callo 2, Locsin 2, Alih 2, Mendoza 2, Alfad 2, Concepcion 0, Angeles 0.

     Period Scores: 20-11, 45-51, 57-38, 77-56.(pr)

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Cebu-Mandaue returns to winning track

TEAM STANDINGS
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos 2-0
Misamis Oriental Meteors 1-0
Cebu Landmasters RDAK Mandaue 1-1
Laguna Golden Lions 0-1
MP Warriors of GenSan 0-2

Games on July 15 – Xavier University Gymnasium
4:00 PM Misamis Oriental Meteors vs. Laguna Golden Lions
6:00 PM MP Warriors of GenSan vs. Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue

     CAGAYAN DE Oro City – Top seed Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue returned to the winning track by disposing of the debuting Laguna Golden Lions, 76-69, in continuing action from the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V Super Leg at the Xavier University Gymnasium Wednesday night.

     Stung by a 71-72 loss to the defending National Champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos the day before, Mandaue of Joe Soberano and Rick King and Coach Jun Tan vented its ire on the Golden Lions of Gov. ER Ejercito and Coach Philip Cezar as newcomer Vic Manuel teamed up with old hands Leo Losentes and Hafer Mondragon to seize the first period, 27-14.

     Losentes then pushed Mandaue to its biggest lead at 54-38 in the third period but the Golden Lions rallied behind big men Bernzon Franco and EJ Feihl to close in entering the final period, 55-60.

     Robert Sanz then scored seven straight Laguna points to put them at their closest, 66-69, and 3:57 to play.  However, Ariel Capus answered with a three-point play to make it 72-69 and the Mandaue defense prevented Laguna from scoring another field goal from thereon.  The Golden Lions did not help their cause by missing free throws while Manuel sealed the win with two timely baskets down the stretch.

     Manuel led Mandaue with 13 points and eight rebounds while Losentes had 12 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals.  Glen Bolocon, Liga’s scoring leader, topped Laguna with 20 points followed by Franco with 15 points and six rebounds.

     In the first game, M. Lhuillier of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba took solo leadership by taming the MP Warriors of GenSan, 93-80.  The Ninos improved to 2-0 while the MP Warriors slipped to 0-2.

     Showing surprise toughness after a 64-90 loss to the host Misamis Oriental Meteors, the MP Warriors of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin Bonleon managed to keep pace with the Ninos for 36 minutes before wilting at crunch time.  Jovanie Alih’s free throw put the MP Warriors ahead for the last time, 78-77, and 4:06 to play.

     From there, Ian Saladaga tied the game with a free throw and Stephen Padilla knocked in the go-ahead triple, 81-78.  Overall, it was a 16-2 closing run that knocked out the MP Warriors.

     Cruz, who hit the game-winning triple against Mandaue the day earlier, continued his good play with 25 points and nine rebounds.  Maliksi fouled out early but still managed 16 points.  Louie Medalla paced the MP Warriors with 17 markers followed by Angeles with 13.

     The games of Liga Pilipinas may be seen on Basketball TV from Monday to Saturday at 5:30 PM with the support of San Miguel, Molten, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel.

How They Scored:

First Game

     M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (93) – Cruz 25, Maliksi 16, Santos 14, Saladaga 10, Padilla 8, Hayes 8, Ababon 4, Belano 4, Raymundo 2, Mepana 2, Nailon 0, Dacia 0, Baguion 0, Jeffries 0.

     GENERAL SANTOS (80) – Medalla 17, Angeles 13, Parreno 9, Musni 9, Concepcion 9, Nicdao 6, Alih 5, Alfad 5, Mendoza 4, Sagad 2, Grijaldo 1, Callo 0.

     Period Scores: 22-20, 42-38, 68-59, 93-80.

Second Game

     MANDAUE (76) – Manuel 13, Losentes 12, Doruelo 11, Capus 1, Mondragon 8, Magsumbol 7, Sta. Cruz 6, Villanil 5, Villaver 3, Marlon Basco 0, Guiyab 0, Dedicatoria 0.

     LAGUNA (69) – Bolocon 20, Franco 15, Sanz 8, Legaspi 7, Feihl 6, Asoro 6, Faundo 5, Saguindel 2, Bautista 0, Fampulme 0, Flores 0, Martinez 0.

     Period Scores: 27-14, 46-33. 60-55, 76-69.(pr)

Monday, July 4, 2011

Trip Ko Phoenix Fuels Basketball Cup opens

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Davao City commissioner Atty.Marvin "Oying" Melodias (left) turns over the rule book and ball to Phoenix Petroleum corporate manager Beethoven Sur and AVP for fuel sales-Mindanao Edgar Alera.


The first Trip Ko Phoenix Fuels Basketball Cup, 16-under Basketball Tournament by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines opened to great cheer and excitement last July 2, 2011, Saturday at the Davao City Recreation Center (formerly Almendras Gym).
The best 90 players from all over Davao composed the six teams of the event, Accelerate Supreme, Accelerate Vega, Cyclomax 4T Force, Cyclomax Titan, Zoelo Diesel and Zoelo Extreme.
Accelerate Supreme and Cyclomax 4T Force faced each other in the 1st game, with scores of 106 and 63 respectively. Cyclomax Titan won the 2nd game with a score of 102 against Zoelo Extreme with 80. Zoelo Diesel came ahead with just 4 points against Accelerate Vega which scored 96.
The Phoenix Basketball Cup is held in partnership with the city government of Davao and will be played over nine Sundays from 8am to 1 pm. It will culminate during the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival. It is sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Region 11.(pr)

Saturday, July 2, 2011

MisOr eliminates Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue, 80-74

TEAM STANDINGS
Misamis Oriental Meteors 3-0
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos 2-1
Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue 1-2
MP Warriors of GenSan 0-3

     CAGAYAN DE Oro City – The Misamis Oriental Meteors took the easy path to the final game of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V Misamis Oriental Leg by eliminating Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue, 80-74, Friday evening at the Xavier University Gymnasium.

     Needing a win to avoid the complications of a three-way tie, the Meteors banked on an 8-0 run powered by Neil Raneses that shattered a 70-70 deadlock and erect a 78-70 advantage with 1:25 to play.  The Meteors thus swept all their three preliminary games while denying Mandaue of Joe Soberano and Rick King and Coach Jun Tan a shot at their fourth weekly championship of the conference supported by San Miguel, Molten, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel.

     Mandaue actually controlled the game for the first three periods and seemed on course for their goal of winning by nine or more markers in order to make the finals via a superior FIBA quotient.  The Meteors will meet the defending National Champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos in Saturday’s finals.  M. Lhuillier has won the last three Misamis Oriental Legs while the Meteors have yet to win their own at home.

     Trailing by a point after three periods, 55-56, JR Gerilla conspired with Ardy Larong and Rudy Lingganay at the start of the fourth period for a 70-64 Meteors lead at the 4:29 mark.  Mandaue’s Marlon Basco tied the game for the last time with back-to-back triples, 70-70.

     Gerilla led the Meteors with 15 points and six rebounds followed by Egay Billones with 13 points, four assists and three steals.  Axel Doruelo paced Mandaue with 17 points while Basco and Mark Magsumbol added 13 markers each.

     In the first game, M. Lhuillier overwhelmed the MP Warriors of GenSan to secure the first finals slot, 97-66, in a meeting of two teams coming off overtime losses the other day.

     Two players benched by Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba in their previous game set the tone early as Stephen Padilla knocked down four triples and Nat Cruz added six more points to give M. Lhuillier of Michel J. Lhuillier a commanding 31-14 lead after one period.  The Warriors of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin Bonleon never recovered.

     Mark Jeffries opened the final canto with a dunk to ignite a 10-2 run starring Mark Abadia that gave M. Lhuillier its biggest lead, 88-46.  The MP Warriors countered with an 18-2 blast of their own to reduce the deficit, 64-90, but M. Lhuillier was unrelenting with Jeffries capping the blowout with another dunk for the final tally.

     Ian Saladaga presided over the rout with 13 points followed by Padilla and Ogie Menor with 12 each as a total of six M. Lhuillier players had 11 points or more.  Louie Medalla topped the MP Warriors with 14 followed by Jenkins Bucao and Jovanie Alih with 11, mostly during their fourth period surge.

How They Scored:

First Game

     M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (97) – Saladaga 13, Padilla 12, Menor 12, Abadia 11, Cruz 11, Jeffries 11, Belano 9, Raymundo 8, Ababon 4, Santos 4, Hayes 2, Baguion 0, Maliksi 0, Mepana 0.

     GENERAL SANTOS (66) – Medalla 14, Parreno 11, Bucao 11, Alih 10, Musni 8, Alfad 8, Locsin 2, Timon 2, Cordero 0, Concepcion 0, Angeles 0, Mendoza 0.

     Period Scores: 31-14, 56-29, 78-44, 97-66.

Second Game

     MISAMIS ORIENTAL (80) – Gerilla 15, Billones 13, Daa 10, Larong 10, Raneses 8, Lingganay 7, Bono 7, Misa 4, Moreno 4, Gudez 2, Capati 0, Lamocha 0.

     MANDAUE (74) – Doruelo 17, Marlon Basco 13, Magsumbol 13, Capus 12, Guiyab 6, Sta. Cruz 4, Losentes 4, Dedicatoria 3, Mondragon 2, Villaver 0.

     Period Scores: 21-16, 36-37, 55-56, 80-74.(pr)

OTs mark MisOr leg

TEAM STANDINGS
Misamis Oriental Meteors 2-0
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos 1-1
Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue 1-1
MP Warriors of GenSan 0-2


     CAGAYAN DE Oro City – Overtimes marked the second day of the Misamis Oriental Leg of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V Thursday at the packed Xavier University Gymnasium.  The host Misamis Oriental Meteors needed overtime to subdue the defending National Champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos, 81-74.  Not to be outdone, the Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue went through two extensions before prevailing over the MP Warriors of GenSan in the opening game, 86-80.

     Dino Daa then starred in the overtime by hitting the Meteors’ first five points, including the go-ahead triple with 2:29 remaing, 75-72.  M. Lhuillier suddenly went cold as Ken Bono shot four free throws for a 79-72 edge at the 46-second mark.  Ardy Larong then sealed the win with a basket and 19 ticks to play, 81-72.

     Neil Raneses forced the overtime via a tip-in of a Rudy Lingganay miss with 14 seconds left in regulation, 70-70.  In the ensuing play, M. Lhuillier threw away the ball but recovered with a solid defensive stand that stopped a driving Egay Billones at the buzzer.

     The Meteors were on top by six with three minutes to go, 68-62, and then saw their lead evaporate on a furious rally by M. Lhuillier.  Mark Ababon drained a triple and Ogie Menor added a free throw to put the Ninos ahead with 40 ticks left, 70-68.

     Raneses led the Meteors with 17 points while Lingganay had a good all-around performance of 15 points, eight rebounds, six assists and six steals.  Allein Maliksi topped M. Lhuillier with points followed by Ababon with a 12.

     With the win, the Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel improved to 2-0 and placed a foot in Saturday’s finale made possible by San Miguel, Molten, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel.  M. Lhuillier of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba leveled their card at 1-1.

     Meanwhile, Liga pacesetter Mandaue turned to two-time weekly Most Valuable Player Mark Magsumbol in the two extra periods as he scattered 15 of his 22 total markers despite a hurting lower back.  Jam Alfad tied the game for the last time at 76-76 on two free throws after which Magsumbol scored Mandaue’s next seven markers for an 83-77 advantage with 29 ticks left.  Ariel Capus then insured the victory with three free throws.

     Warrior Louie Medalla played the hero’s role to the hilt as he bailed out his team twice – first with a triple with a second left in regulation and then another triple with 37 seconds to play in the first overtime that both equalized the count at 61-61 and 70-70 respectively.  The Warriors actually had a chance to grab the game in regulation but Jonathan Parreno missed three throws off a Magsumbol foul at the 14-second mark and Mandaue ahead, 60-58.  Harold Sta. Cruz then gave the Warriors another chance by making only one free throw off Alain Musni’s foul with 11 seconds to go, 61-58.

     Capus supported Magsumbol with 17 points while Sta. Cruz had 12 points and 18 rebounds.  Alfad paced the Warriors with 18 points and 10 rebounds while Medalla finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.  Musni also had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

     Mandaue of Joe Soberano and Rick King and Coach Jun Tan improved to 1-1 and could sneak into Saturday’s finals with a convincing win over the Meteors Friday.  The still winless Warriors of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin Bonleon can also still make the finals if they beat M. Lhuillier and hope for a big Mandaue loss for a triple tie.

How They Scored:

First Game

     MANDAUE (86) – Magsumbol 22, Capus 17, Sta. Cruz 12, Dedicatoria 12, Doruelo 8, Mondragon 4, Marlon Basco 4, Losentes 4, Villaver 3, Guiyab 0.

     GENERAL SANTOS (80) – Alfad 18, Medalla 16, Musni 14, Angeles 10, Mendoza 9, Parreno 6, Bucao 2, Concepcion 2, Timon 2, Locsin 1, Sagad 0, Callo 0, Cordero 0.

     Period Scores: 19-13, 29-23, 47-47, 61-61 (reg.), 70-70 (OT), 86-80 (2OT).

Second Game

     MISAMIS ORIENTAL (81) – Raneses 17, Lingganay 15, Billones 11, Daa 7, Larong 7, Gerilla 6, Bono 6, Misa 5, Lamocha 5, Gudez 2, Capati 0, Moreno 0, Lucernas 0.

     M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (74) – Maliksi 19, Ababon 12, Jeffries 9, Mepana 7, Hayes 6, Menor 6, Raymundo 4, Belano 4, Baguion 3, Saladaga 2, Santos 2.

     Period Scores: 19-18, 38-37, 56-52, 70-70 (reg.), 81-74 (OT).PR