Brgy.Agdao Davao downs Brgy.Dumlog Cebu, 96-78

CEBU City – Davao City’s Barangay Agdao played a well-rounded game as they caught the unprepared Barangay Dumlog of Talisay City of Cebu to move to the championship round of the 2011 Handy Fix Super League – National Barangay Championship National Finals held at the Capitol Parish Gym.

It was the quick ball movement, sheer determination, aggressiveness and outside shooting of the Davaoeños that pushed them to the Finals after handing Talisay City an emphatic 96-78 victory.

Talisay obviously had the size and height advantage over Davao but the Davaoueños came in ready for battle while the Cebuanos were lost in the game as they played no defense and with less intensity in offense.

As of press time yesterday, another Cebuano squad, Barangay Pajo of Lapu-Lapu City was also facing a tall order as they played against Manila’s finest team Barangay Bagumbayan of Taguig City in the other knockout game.

Agdao’s determination was apparent at the start of the game as they played solid defense and let their star player work early in the event presented by Magna Prime Distribution Corp. and organized by Evangelista Aquatics & Sports Management, Inc. (EASMII).

Deadly shooter Rhandelle Colina was as explosive as to the regional finals as he scored 21 points including five triples that helped the Davao squad to erect a 29-21 lead after the first quarter.

Talisay crept back into the action with former USPF Panthers Jordan Bardillas scored eight straight to move Dumlog within 28-32 but its lack in intensity in defense and its individual game failed to make matter as Agdao kept their heads afloat to keep the lead.

Despite seeing former USJ-R Jaguar Jemar de la Peña and UV Lancer Arvie Cabañero combining efforts in the third period, Dumlog could only trim the margin to three points 60-63 before Davao pushed hard in the final canto with the former SWU Cobras forward Janno Nuñez and Colina displaying an inside-outside theatrical acts that lead to Davao’s entry to the finals.

Agdao-Davao (96) – Colina 31, Nuñez 18, Cullados 8, Buaton 8, Pularca 8, Cañete 6, de la Peña 5, Moreno 4, Abillero 3, Patulot 3, Melgaso 2. Dumlog-Talisay (78) – Cabañero 15, de la Peña 14, Bardillas 14, Obeso 9, Tabay 7, Racaza 6, Bibiera 5, Labati 4, Hernando 2. Quarters:  29-21; 52-41; 71-64; 96-78.(pr)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Unofficial results of the ongoing SBP National Juniors Championships in Cebu City

SCHEDULE OF GAMES
2 Game No. Time Light Uniform Dark Uniform RESULT
3
4 15-Feb-10
5 1 9:00 AM Divine Word Dagupan vs USJR U17 78 - 102
6 2 10:30 AM Sacred Heart Lucena vs St. Clare U17 63 - 81
7
8 1:30 PM OPENING CEREMONY
9
10 3 2:00 PM ICCS Iloilo vs Holy Child Davao U17 94 - 89
11 4 3:30 PM Fatima vs UV U19 83 - 76
12 5 5:00 PM USA Iloilo vs Ateneo de Zamboanga U19 80 - 84
13
14 16-Feb-10
15 6 9:00 AM Holy Child Davao vs St. Clare U17 57-72
16 7 10:30 AM USJR vs Sacred Heart Lucena U17 78-61
17
18 8 2:30 PM ICCS Iloilo vs Divine Word Dagupan U17 110-92
19 9 4:00 PM Ateneo de Zamboanga vs Fatima U19 60-72
20 10 5:30 PM UV Vs. USC U19 90-76
21 17-Feb-10
22 11 9:00 AM Sacred Heart Lucena vs Divine Word Dagupan U17 78-73
23 12 10:30 AM USJR vs Holy Child Davao U17 74-86
24
25 13 2:30 PM St. Clare vs ICCS Iloilo U17 83-80
26 14 4:00 PM UV vs Ateneo de Zamboanga U19 74-61
27 15 5:30 PM USC Vs USA Iloilo U19 65-82
28
29 18-Feb-10
30 16 9:00 AM ICCS Iloilo vs USJR U17 65-63
31 17 10:30 AM Divine Word Dagupan vs St. Clare U17 0-20
32
33 18 2:30 PM Holy Child Davao vs Sacred Heart Lucena U17
34 19 4:00 PM USA Iloilo vs UV U19
35 20 5:30 PM FATIMA Vs. USC U19
36 19-Feb-10
37 21 9:00 AM Sacred Heart Lucena vs ICCS Iloilo U17
38 22 10:30 AM Divine Word Dagupan vs Holy Child Davao U17
39
40 23 2:30 PM St. Clare vs USJR U17
41 24 4:00 PM Fatima vs USA Iloilo U19
42 25 5:30 PM USC Vs. Ateneo de Zamboanga U19
43 20-Feb-10
44 26 9:00 AM Rank No. 3 vs Rank No. 4 (for 3rd place) U17
45 27 10:30 AM Rank No. 3 vs Rank No. 4 (for 3rd place) U19
46
47 28 1:30 AM Rank No. 1 vs Rank No. 2 (for championship) U17
48 29 3:00 AM Rank No. 1 vs Rank No. 2 (for championship) U19
49

Cebu eyes third leg triumph; Quezon hosts week five

CEBU EYES THIRD LEG TRIUMPH;

QUEZON HOSTS WEEK FIVE

Games on July 16

(Quezon)

3 p.m. – Baguio vs. Ilocos Sur

5 p.m. – Misamis Oriental vs. Quezon

(Cebu)

3 p.m. – Pampanga vs. Zamboanga

5 p.m. – Laguna vs. Cebu

CEBU, July 15 – The Cebu Ninos, momentarily eclipsed from top of the standings by the dazzling Pagadian Explorers, seek to reclaim solo leadership when they host Wednesday the southern leg of Week 5 of the Liga Pilipinas Tour elimination phase at the New Cebu Coliseum.

The M.L. Kwarta Padala-backed double-leg winners, currently ranked second in the qualification round with 20 points behind the idle Explorers, take on the Trace Laguna Stallions at the featured game at 5 p.m. following the curtain-raiser pitting the Pampanga Buddies, champions in Week 2, against the Zamboanga Amores.

Over at the Quezon Convention Center, the Baguio Victory clash with the Ilocos Sur Bravehearts at 3 p..m., while the Misamis Oriental Meteors collide with the host Quezon Red Oilers at 5 p.m.

With two first place finishes and a runnerup showing, the Explorers pace the field with 29 points, gathering momentum for their quarterfinal drive.

Close behind Cebu at third are the Taguig Batang Global with 23 points, Pampanga, 4^th with 20 points, Lipa-Batangas, (5^th/17 pts.), Ilocos Sur (6^th/12 pts.), Tagaytay-Cavite (7^th/12 pts), Baguio (8^th/10 pts.), Misamis Oriental (9^th/9 pts.), Laguna (10^th/4 pts), Zamboanga (11^th/3 pts.), Iloilo (12^th/3 pts.), and Quezon (13^th/2 pts.)

Based on Tour points at the end of the qualification round, the top four teams will advance to the quarterfinal, while the next eight teams undergo a wildcard showdown, with the 5^th- to the 8^th-ranked squad enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage.

A leg winner earns 10 points on top of its won game bonus (1 point per win), the runnerup gets five, and the third placer three points.

Pagadian ruled the Misamis Oriental and Zamboanga legs, while Cebu was tops in the Ilocos Sur and Pagadian stages. Taguig, Pampanga, and Lipa-Batangas emerged winners after respectively playing hosts in their hometowns.

In the Week 1 finals, Pagadian routed Baguio, 63-49 in Misamis Oriental, while Cebu downed host Ilocos Sur, 98-78.

In Week 2, Pampanga edged Tagaytay-Cavite in a championship thriller, 78-77, while Week 3 saw Cebu denying Pagadian at home in the title game, 72-67, and Taguig defending the fort, 81-75, against invading Pampanga.

Lipa defeated Tagaytay-Cavite, 81-72, in the final of Week 4 in Batangas, and Pagadian shelled Taguig, 83-56, in Zamboanga.

Cebu leads Liga Pilipinas team standings

LIPA CITY (July 8, 2008) – Double-leg winner Cebu, on the strength of its triumphs in Ilocos Sur and Pagadian, leads the Liga Pilipinas team standings with 24 Tour points, fortifying the Ninos' bid for an outright quarterfinal berth with two more stops in their schedule.

The Pampanga Buddies, who won the second leg before their hometown crowd in San Fernando, rank second with 20 points, followed by the Pagadian Explorers, champions in the Misamis Oriental leg, with 17, and fellow leg winner Taguig Batang Global, 16 points.

Completing the standings are: Misamis Oriental (9), Ilocos Sur (7), Baguio (6), Tagaytay-Cavite (6), Laguna (4), Lipa-Batangas (4), Zamboanga (3), (Iloilo 2), and Quezon (2).

As per tournament format, each of the 13 participating teams – on the way to competing in four different legs – will host one qualification round tourney to complete a total of 13 legs.

Already, Misamis Oriental, Ilocos Sur, Pampanga, Taguig, and Pagadian have played hosts to five recently concluded legs, with Lipa-Batangas and Zamboanga housing competitors in Week 4.

Based on its finish in each of the four legs assigned it, a team will be awarded Tour points – 10 points to the champion, five to the runnerup, and three to the third-placer, on top of its won game points (1 for every victory in the elimination) – to determine the standings at the end of the qualification round.

The top four teams with the highest points advance to the quarterfinals, while the next eight teams go through a wildcard phase where the 5^th-ranked to the 8^th-ranked team enjoy twice-to-beat privileges against the 9^th- to 12^th-placed squads.

Kicking off hostilities at the provincial capital of Batangas today are the Iloilo Mang Inasals against the Baguio Victory at 3 p.m., followed by the featured game pitting the host Barakos against the Tagaytay-Cavite Heroes at 5 p.m.

Over in Zamboanga, the Pagadian Explorers, winners in Week 1 at the Misamis Oriental leg, and the Batang Global, victors in Week 3 in Taguig, collide at 3 p.m., while the Bravehearts of Ilocos and the hometown favotire Amores take the court at 5 p.m.

Liga Pilipinas: Cebu rules Northern leg, Pagadian tops Southern phase

LIGA PILIPINAS

Cebu rules Northern leg;

Pagadian tops Southern phase

CAGAYAN de Oro – Mark Yee displayed his valuable leadership to Pagadian late Sunday evening, posting a double-double in steering the Explorers to a spectacular comeback by blasting the Baguio Victory, 63-49, in the final of the maiden southern phase of Liga Pilipinas at the Xavier University gym here.

Yee had 15 points and 11 rebounds, getting adjudged Best Player of the Misamis Oriental leg.

Comparatively deficient in size but overflowing in aggressiveness, the Explorers controlled the boards, 45-36, and held the Victory, who trailed 17-7 and never recovered, to 28 percent from the floor (16-of-58).

Pagadian's defense also forced 17 Baguio turnovers.

In the battle for third place, local boy Eric de la Cuesta unloaded 18 points to lead the MisOr Meteors past the Trace Laguna Stallions, 82-77.

Meanwhile, at the People's Coliseum in Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur, the Cebu Ninos downed the host Bravehearts, 98-78, in the northern leg final.

Taguig, on the other hand, ripped Quezon, 79-68, for third place.

Scores: (Northern leg)

1^st Game

TAGUIG 79 – Marquez 21, Latoreno 13, Gatumbato 12, Ortiguerra 9, Rodriguez 9, Reguera 5, Matias 4, Bombeo 2, Bautista 2, De Leon 2, Vijandre 0, Ripalda 0, Javier 0, Fajardo 0.

QUEZON 68 – Chua 11, Mondragon 9, Casino 7, Macanig 8, Panzo 7, Garrido 6, Lingao Lingao 6, Canizares 5, Williams 4, Alcala 3, Oabel 2,Manabat 0, Bolado 0, Mendoza 0,

Quarters: Taguig- 14-16; 27-35; 47-49; 79-68

2^ND Game

CEBU 98 – Rodriguez 21,Dacia 20, Basco 16, Capati 13, Padilla 9, Berami 8, Ababon 6, Cavan 3, Saladaga 2, Aying 0, Mepana 0, Atablanco 0, Luga 0.

ILOCOS 78 – Malabanan 19, Basilides 13, Kalaw 9, Guiyab 9, Cabatu 5, Hugnatan 7, Lopez 4, Saldua 4, Balares 4, Castro 2, Reyes 2, Prado 1, Codamon 0, Ico 0.

Quarters: 22-19; 48-42; 71-55; 98-78

(Southern leg)

1^st Game

MISAMIS ORIENTAL 82 – De la Cuesta 18, Saguindel 15, Concha 11, Nailon 10, Espiritu 8, Faundo 7, Tadena 5, Farochilen 4, Tagupa 4, Caputolan 0.

LAGUNA 77 – Losentes 24, Gaco 16, Angeles 8, Ricafuente 8, Santos 7, Dedicatoria 6, Retaga 4, Raymundo 2, Cruz 2, Valderama 0.

Quarters: 16-17; 31-35; 57-52; 82-77.

2^ND Game

PAGADIAN 63 – Yee 15, Villaver 14, Labagala 8, Daja 7, Kong 6, Orquillas 5, Sinco 4, Saludsod 2, Quilo 2. Singedas 0, Cortes 0, Musni 0.

BAGUIO 49 – Sta. Maria 13, Mangahas 7, Tiongson 6, Ton 6, Basto 5, Al. Gamboa 5, Ar. Gamboa 4, White 3, Pupos 0, Cariño 0, Lujero 0.

Quarters: 24-11; 36-22; 52-39; 63-49.

M.Lhuillier vs. TNT on Thursday

Game Thursday (February 21) – New Cebu Coliseum

7:00 PM M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City vs. Talk ‘N Text

CEBU CITY – Southern Philippine’s top ball club the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City Jewelers of the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) will test the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals off the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in a goodwill game this Thursday (February 21) at the New Cebu Coliseum. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM.

The game is part of the celebrations of the 71^st year of the Cebu City Charter and is held in cooperation with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) through its president Manuel V. Pangilinan and Visayas area head Michel J. Lhuillier. Both gentlemen are also the owners of the competing teams.

The game marks the first time new Phone Pals coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes will call the shots in a public game since taking over from Frederick Pumaren. Coach Reyes will match wits against the multi-titled Coach Raul Alcoseba. Ironically, assisting Coach Alcoseba will be Coach Reyes’ brother Mike, adding twist to the interesting coaching battle.

M. Lhuillier is no pushover, as its roster is loaded with former PBA players in Bruce Dacia, Stephen Padilla, Danny Aying, Leo Bat-og, Dale Singson, Marlon Basco and Ronald Capati and rookie free agent Woodrow Enriquez. Completing the roster are rising stars Jayford Rodriguez, Enrico Llanto and Jerry Cavan.

Talk ‘N Text, coming off a disappointing PBA Philippine Cup performance were they got the early boot in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, will be lead by point guard Jimmy Alapag and shooters Renren Ritualo and Mark Cardona. Also on the roster of the Phone Pals is Egay Billones, who played for the MVBA’s Cebu Landmaster quintet in 2006.

The rest of the Phone Pals are Yousif Aljamal, Ali Peek, Miguel Noble, Felix Belano, Kalani Ferreria, Yancy de Ocampo, Don Allado, Harvey Carey and Anthony Washington.

The Jewelers hope to rise above their 1-1 win-loss slate against PBA teams. In August of 2006, the Jewelers shocked the Santa Lucia Realtors, 82-69, at the Cebu Coliseum. A month later, they lost to the San Miguel Beermen, 91-97, in a charity game organized by Dondon Hontiveros.(AES)

MLKP Cebu embarks on its quest for a rare three-peat

DEFENDING CHAMPION M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City embarks on its quest for a rare three-peat this weekend with the opening of the 2008 Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Sinulog Cup at the New Cebu Coliseum starting this Sunday (January 27).

Scoring the triple-crown won’t be easy for the wards of Michel Lhuillier and Coach Raul Alcoseba, as three tough teams from Metro Manila have confirmed their participation and are on a mission to knock the crown off the Jewelers’ heads in the weeklong tournament sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP).

Leading the invaders are the Toyota-Balintawak Road Kings of Coach Ariel Vanguardia, the Third Placer in the last Philippine Basketball League (PBL) conference.

The Road Kings will test drive their tuned up roster featuring MVBA veteran Ruel Balgos of the Toyota-Iloilo Turbos and fellow Vis-Min players Patrick Cabahug of Cebu and Marvin Hayes of Iloilo. The rest of the crew consists of Erwin Santa Maria, Floyd Dedicatoria, JR Sena, Paul Guerrero, Jonathan Aldave, Chito Jaime, Erick Rodriguez, Bryan Faundo, Richard Cole, Marvin Ortiguerra, Ramon Retaga, Eugene Tan and Cholo Villanueva. Team manager is Ramon Oben.

Coach Vanguardia added that their new recruit Rino Berame, formerly of the MVBA’s Arthro Kontra Arthritis, will not yet suit up for the Road Kings. The 6’7” Berame will remain with the University of the Visayas varsity until the end of the current school year and will play for the Lancers in the Sinulog Cup. The other participating team is returning MVBA member Montaña Pawnshop-Davao of businessman Armando Quibod.

Also from the PBL are the Pharex Medics under Coach Carlo Tan. The Medics are coming off a respectable debut conference where they reached the quarterfinals.

Pharex is expected to parade former Cebu Landmaster stalwart Richard Ian Saladaga plus other Vis-Min talents Ronnie Bughao of Cebu, JR Gerilla of Leyte, Francis Allera of South Cotabato and Jam Alfad of Sulu. The rest of the Medics are Fritz Bauzon, Gilbert Bulawan, Sean Co, Jeff de Guzman, Gester Ebuen, Elmer Espiritu, Ronnie Matias, Emerson Oreta, Darryl Pepito and Don Villamin. Team manager is Jean Alabanza, a former MBA pro with the Cagayan de Oro Amigos.

Adding fuel to the PBL teams’ is their desire to avenge the defeats of their fellow PBL teams in the many invitational tilts organized by the MVBA since its birth in 2006. The likes of TeleTech, Henkel-Sista, Dazz and Burger King have all ventured into Cebu only to come home empty-handed.

The third Metro Manila team, Fifth Avenue Telecoms, is the champion of the Metro Basketball League (MBL). The team is owned by Mike Dullas with former national player and PBA veteran Junel Mendiola as playing coach.

This early, Fifth Avenue is emerging as the dark horse of the tournament. A look at their roster reveals a lot of name players led by Cebuanos Braulio Lim and Roberts Labagala, Ferdinand Go of Butuan City and Ronnie Zagala of Sultan Kudarat. Also in the roster are former PBA players Jeff Sanders, Marlon Legaspi, Allan Salangsang, Ruel Buenaventura, Gilbert Malabanan and Billy Moody. Completing the team are Angelus Raymundo, Al Vergara, Rommel David and Richard Litonjua.

The presence of a very stellar cast is enough to satisfy the appetite of basketball-hungry Cebuano fans and jumpstart what is seen to be another banner year for basketball in Southern Philippines with the MVBA at the forefront.(Anthony Servinio)

MLKP survives big scare from Landmaster, 89-86

Game on December 7 – Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Center
5:30PM Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue vs. M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City(Visayas Finals, Game Two)

CEBU CITY – Defending champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City needed an overtime period to survive a big scare from Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue, 89-86, and take Game One of the best-of-three Visayas Division Finals of the 2007 Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Second Conference Wednesday at the New Cebu Coliseum.

Game Two of the series is set for December 7 at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Center starting at 5:30PM. M. Lhuillier of Michel Lhuillier and Coach Raul Alcoseba can wrap it up while Landmaster of Joe Soberano, Mayor Jonas Cortes and Coach Jun Tan will try its best to send the series to a deciding third game on Sunday (December 9) at the Cebu Coliseum in the league sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and supported by ML Kwarta Padala, Nature’s Spring Water, Accel, Reva Sandals, Gameface.Ph and Nike Basketball.

The Jewelers looked headed for the easy win, erecting a 16-point lead on a three-point play by Marlon Basco, 76-60, with 4:56 left in the fourth quarter. Suddenly, disaster struck as Landmaster unloaded an 18-2 bomb to close out regulation time, capped by back-to-back triples by Mike Manigo to tie the count at 78-78 with 13 ticks on the clock.

Coach Alcoseba designed a play for Stephen Padilla but the ball went to Jett Latonio who launched a 15-foot jumper at the buzzer hence the overtime. Landmaster actually scored the last 12 points of regulation after Jerry Cavan converted two free throws off a technical foul on the Landmaster bench for excessive complaining at the 3:40 mark, 78-66. Compounding M. Lhuillier’s woes were the disqualifications of centers Basco and Ronald Capati with still three minutes to go.

Scoreless in the first four quarters, Padilla exploded in the overtime with all his five points, topped by a triple at the 2:00 warning that shattered an 84-84 deadlock and put M. Lhuillier on top for good, 87-84. Woodrow Enriquez and Harold Santa Cruz then traded baskets. After a failed M. Lhuillier offensive, Landmaster had the chance to force a second extension but Richard Ian Saladaga missed his open triple attempt from the corner as time expired.

Capati led M. Lhuillier with 17 points followed by Basco with 15. Four other Jewelers had twin digits in Cavan with 14, Enriquez 12, Lou Gatumbato 11 and Bruce Dacia 10. Mark Yee had a monster game with 24 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in the losing effort. Saladaga added 18, Manigo 13 and Bong Marata 12.

Waiting for the series winner is Mindanao Division champion Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr of Gov. Oscar Moreno and Coach Bong Abad. MisOr copped its third straight Mindanao title by besting the MP Warriors-GenSan, 2-1. MisOr will host the Visayas champion in Game One of the MVBA Finals next week. Game Two and if needed Game Three will be at the Visayas champion’s home venue.

How They Scored:
M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (89) – Capati 17, Basco 15, Cavan 14, Enriquez 12, Gatumbato 11, Dacia 10, Padilla 5, Rodriguez 2. Latonio 2, Bat-og 1.

CEBU LANDMASTER-MANDAUE (86) – Yee 24, Saladaga 18, Manigo 13, Marata 12, Nicdao 8, Ocañada 7, Mangubat 2, Santa Cruz 2, Montalbo 0, Abellanosa 0.
Period Scores: 26-18, 44-32, 64-52, 78-78 (reg.), 89-86 (OT).(Anthony E. Servinio)