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)
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