Laguna trounces Tigers, 75-64

EAM STANDINGS

Misamis Oriental Meteors 2-1

Laguna Golden Lions 2-1

Ilocos Sur CS Tigers 2-1

MP Warriors of GenSan 0-3

LAGUNA QUALIFIES TO FINALS OF LIGA PILIPINAS LAGUNA LEG

     SANTA CRUZ, Laguna – The host Laguna Golden Lions sneaked into Saturday’s championship game of the Laguna Leg of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V by trouncing the erstwhile undefeated Ilocos Sur CS Tigers, 75-64,Friday evening at the San Luis Sports Complex.

     On top by nine but needing nothing less than a win by 11 points or more to force a three-way tie at the top with the Tigers and the Misamis Oriental Meteors at 2-1 and hold the superior FIBA quotient, Boyet Bautista received theinbound pass from Glenn Bolocon and scored on baseline drive with a second left that meant the marginal points and a seat in the finale.  The Meteors topped the preliminaries with a 1.068 quotient while the Golden Lions barely beat out the CS Tigers for the second spot, 0.968 to 0.962.

     The Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Coach Johnedel Cardel had a championship berth well in hand until Jorel Canizares threw the ball away, prompting Laguna coach Philip Cezar to map one final play.  Canizares actually turned from hero to goat – he earlier made back-to-back baskets that reduced the Golden Lions’ lead to only eight and a minute to play.  Bryan Faundo made a free throw with 17 ticks left, 73-64, which was followed by Canizares’ error.

     Bolocon made 10 of his 20 points in the fourth period to push the Golden Lions further ahead.  He also added six rebounds.  Faundo had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.  Ismael Junio paced the Tigers with 16 followed by Chris Santos with 11.

     Earlier, the Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel strengthened their grip on a finals seat by keeping fellow Mindanao team MP Warriors of GenSan of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin Bonleon winless, 91-82

     The Warriors were only in the contest for the first four minutes, leading 11-10.  The Meteors then drilled in eight straight points and a total team efforted gave them the first period, 28-19.

     Christian Nicdao scored to put the Warriors within three markers at the three-minute mark of the final canto, 74-77.  Egay Billones then pumped in eight points in the Meteors’ 14-8 closing run, including a jumper with 21 seconds remaining that sealed their second win in three starts.

     Lyndon Gudez paced the Meteors with 14 points on three triples followed by Dino Daa with 12 points and five rebounds.  Louie Medalla fired five triples to tally 27 points while Alfie Grijaldo chipped in 16 for the Warriors.

     The Golden Lions and Meteors will play a one-game finale while the CS Tigers and MP Warriors will play for Third Place in the third of six weekly tournaments made possible by San Miguel, Molten, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel.  The Meteors slammed the Lions in their preliminary round encounter last Thursday, 91-75.

How They Scored:

First Game

     MISAMIS ORIENTAL (91) – Gudez 14, Daa 12, Billones 11, Capati 9, Misa 8, Salangsang 8, Raneses 7, Lamocha 7, Andaya 6, Lucernas 5, Bono 4.

     GENERAL SANTOS (82) – Medalla 27, Grijaldo 16, Nicdao 9, Cordero 9, Angeles 7, Sagad 4, Bucao 4, Parreno 2, Alih 2, Mendoza 2, Callo 0, Concepcion 0.

     Period Scores: 28-19, 51-43, 70-63, 91-82.

Second Game

     LAGUNA (75) – Bolocon 20, Faundo 12, Fampulme 8, Sanz 7, Legaspi 7, Saguindel 5, Bautista 4, Ejercito 4, Flores 4, Aldave 2, Ricafuente 2, Feihl 0.

     ILOCOS SUR (64) – Junio 16, Santos 11, Gonzalez 10, Vizcarra 6, Canizares 6, Palaganas 4, Ybanez 3, Williams 3, Jaime 2, de Castro 2, Agacer 1, Cacha 0.

     Period Scores: 27-16, 42-33, 59-51, 75-64.PR

Cebu Ninos win over Ilocos Sur CS Tigers

TEAM STANDINGS
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos 1-0
Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue 1-0
Misamis Oriental Meteors 0-1
Ilocos Sur CS Tigers 0-1

CEBU NINOS WIN OVER ILOC SUR CS TIGERS

Games on May 20 – Cebu Coliseum
4:00 PM Misamis Oriental Meteors vs. Ilocos Sur CS Tigers
6:00 PM Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue vs. M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos

     CEBU CITY – Defending National Champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos continued its dominance of the visiting Ilocos Sur CS Tigers, 78-65, on opening day of the Cebu City Leg of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V Wednesday at the Cebu Coliseum.

     After beating the CS Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Coach Johnedel Cardel twice en route to the championship of the Ilocos Sur Leg two weeks ago, the Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba turned anew to Ilocos Sur MVP Jayford Rodriguez and Ian Saladaga to power a 12-3 run late in the second period that shattered a 26-26 deadlock and the hosts never looked back.  M. Lhuillier easily took the half, 41-33.

     Nat Cruz, who once played for Ilocos Sur in Conference II when they were still called the Bravehearts, pumped in 10 of his team-best 15 markers in the second half to thwart the CS Tigers’ repeated attempts to rally.  Cruz also hauled nine rebounds.

     Rodriguez and Saladaga both finished with 13 points each.  New recruit Jorel Canizares made an instant impact in his Ilocos Sur debut by firing 22 points but lacked support from his teammates.  Chito Jaime and Ariel de Castro followed Canizares with 13 and 12 markers respectively.  The rest of CS Tigers combined for 18 points.

     In the first game, the new-look Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue of Joe Soberano and Coach Jun Tan sent out shockwaves by tripping the favored Misamis Oriental Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel, 67-60.

     After battling through eight deadlocks and 11 lead changes, Harold Sta. Cruz and Hafer Mondragon hit back-to-back baskets that gave Mandaue the lead for good late in the second period, 30-29.  The duo continued their show in the third period as they pushed Mandaue to their biggest lead of the game, 45-34, on a field goal from Conference I MVP Marlon Basco.

     Floyd Dedicatoria and Jan Villaver then combined with Sta. Cruz to continuously frustrate the Meteors with timely baskets.  Axel Doruelo sank a triple for a 64-56 cushion and Ariel Capus tossed in three more free throws to preserve the victory.

     Sta. Cruz topped Mandaue with 13 points on top of seven rebounds.  Mark Magsumbol also had 13 points, 12 coming in the first half.  Patrick Cabahug paced the Meteors with 15 points but none of his teammates managed to produce double digits.

How They Scored:

First Game

     MANDAUE (67) – Magsumbol 13, Sta. Cruz 13, Mondragon 8, Dedicatoria 8, Villaver 7, Capus 7, Marlon Basco 6, Doruelo 3, Guiyab 2, Villanil 0, Gabica 0.

     MISAMIS ORIENTAL (60) – Cabahug 15, Raneses 8, Lamocha 7, Capati 6, Daa 6, Salangsang 5, Gudez 4, Villariza 3, Misa 2, Saldua 2, Bono 2, Andaya 0, Tagupa 0, Lucernas 0.

     Period Scores: 18-18, 34-31, 47-43, 67-60.

Second Game

     M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (78) – Cruz 15, Rodriguez 13, Saladaga 13, Padilla 11, Abadia 8, Santos 6, Nailon 5, Belano 5, Baguion 2, Ababon 0, Dacia 0, Raymundo 0, Lusdoc 0.

     ILOCOS SUR (65) – Canizares 22, Jaime 13, de Castro 12, Ybanez 4, Palaganas 4, Cacha 3, Vizcarra 3, Agacer 2, Williams 2, Gali 0, Junio 0, Santos 0, E. Sta. Maria 0.

     Period Scores: 22-15, 41-33, 62-50, 63-78.PR

M. LHULLIER CEBU NINOS CHAMPION

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

ILOCOS CS TIGERS, CEBU NINOS SECURE FINALS BERTHS

Games on April 30 – Santo Domingo People’s Center 4:00 PM Laguna Golden Lions vs. MP Warriors of GenSan (for Third Place) 6:00 PM Ilocos Sur CS Tigers vs. M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos (Championship) ILOCOS CS TIGERS, CEBU NINOS SECURE FINALS BERTHS      SANTO DOMINGO, Ilocos Sur – Host Ilocos Sur CS Tigers and defending champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos trounced separate opponents Thursday night (April 28) to arrange a winner-take-all showdown Saturday for the championship of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V Ilocos Sur Leg at the Santo Domingo People’s Center.      Pint-sized guard Warren Ybanez was the biggest man of the night as he scored 10 of his team-high 19 points in the crucial fourth period rally that lifted the CS Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singsonand Coach Johnedel Cardel past the Laguna Golden Lions of Gov. ER Ejercito and Coach Nomar Isla, 82-78.      Ybanez combined with Ramsey Williams to slowly eat away at the Lions’ advantage, capped by a Jemal Vizcarra basket that gave them the lead for the first time in the second half, 75-73.  Bryan Faundo quickly equalized but Chito Jaime pushed the hosts ahead for good, 77-75, and 1:18 to play.      Ybanez then proved steady from the free throw line as he made four of his six attempts in the final minute to maintain their lead.  The Lions had one last chance to tie the score but Ricky Ricafuente fired a hurried triple with eight ticks remaining and the Tigers on top, 81-78.  Vizcarra added another free throw for the final tally.      Williams followed up his superb play yesterday with 15 points and eight assists.  Ybanez added 10 rebounds on top of his 19 points.  Glenn Bolocon led the Lions with 20 points and nine rebounds. Faundo followed with 15 points and 11 rebounds.      In the curtain-raiser, the Ninos of Michel Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba played cautiously for three periods before pouring it all out in the final minutes to whip the MP Warriors of GenSan of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin Bonleon, 98-75.      On top by nine entering the final period, 69-60, the Ninos turned to rookie Ferdinand Lusdoc of Bohol Institute of Technology who banged in six points to power a 17-5 run that immediately settled the outcome, 86-65.  So relentless were the Ninos that they further stretched their lead to as high as 25 points, 96-71.      Jayford Rodriguez converted all of his team-best 24 points in the first three periods, on top of 10 rebounds to earn Best Player honors.  Abby Santos also dominated the inside with 19 points and 11 rebounds.  Christopher Concepcion and Alfie Grijaldo paced the Warriors with 12 points each.      The still winless Warriors and Lions will dispute Third Place.  Friday night’s games thus became previews of Saturday’s fixtures with the teams aiming for valuable points in the SMC Liga standings. How They Scored: First Game      M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (98) – Rodriguez 24, Santos 19, Lusdoc 12, Nailon 10, Abadia 9, Saladaga 9, Baguion 5, Belano 5, Padilla 3, Cruz 2, Ababon 0, Raymundo 0.      GEN. SANTOS (75) – Grijaldo 12, Concepcion 12, Nicdao 11, Parreno 11, Angeles 10, Cordero 6, Medalla 5, Mendoza 4, Bucao 2, Alih 2, Sagad 0, Callo 0.      Period Scores: 22-22, 42-39, 69-60, 98-75. Second Game      ILOCOS SUR (82) – Ybanez 19, Williams 15, Vizcarra 13, Jaime 12, E. Sta. Maria 9, de Castro 6, Cacha 4, Agacer 4, Gonzales 0, Junio 0, Santos 0.      LAGUNA (78) – Bolocon 20, Faundo 15, Ricafuente 13, Bautista 8, Fampulme 8, Mercado 4, Sanz 4, Feihl 4, Saguindel 2, Glorioso 0, Ejercito 0.      Period Scores: 18-18, 30-44, 55-61, 82-78.PR

ILOCOS SUR TOPS GENSAN IN LIGA PILIPINAS OPENING

SANTO DOMINGO, Ilocos Sur – The Ilocos Sur CS Tigers celebrated their return to regional basketball by clipping the visiting MP Warriors of GenSan, 84-76, in opening day action from the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V at the Santo Domingo People’s Center.

The hosts CS Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson drew big plays from their second unit to give Coach Johnedel Cardel a win in his very first game at the helm.  Jemal Vizcarra pumped in 14 points off the bench but it was the all-around play of Ramsey Williams that cemented the Tigers’ victory.

Williams, whose mother hails from Ilocos Sur, scattered 13 points on top of five rebounds, six assists and two steals to frustrate the Warriors of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin Bonleon,  who also made his coaching debut after taking over from Choy del Rosario who died earlier this year due to leukemia.

Despite a big size disadvantage, the Warriors hung tough and even outrebounded the bigger Tigers, 48-43.  The Warriors also used their speed to have more fast break points, 12-4.  In the end, their substitutes failed to sustain the momentum as the Tigers had more bench points, 43-25.

Alfie Grijaldo paced the Warriors with 17 points and six rebounds followed by Louie Medalla with 13 points and five rebounds.  Christian Nicdao typified the Warriors control of the boards with a dozen rebounds on top of his eight markers.

In the opening game, defending champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos began its title retention bid on the right note by holding off the dangerous Laguna Golden Lions, 78-74.

Starting sluggishly, the Ninos of Michel Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba conceded the opening period, 15-19.  They then settled down to grab the halftime lead, 39-33.

It was an all-M. Lhuillier show from there as they stretched their lead to as high as 21 points behind a full-team effort.  With the outcome decided, the Golden Lions of Gov. ER Ejercito and Coach Nomar Isla slowly whittled the final deficit.

Big Frank Nailon powered the Ninos with 11 points and 10 rebounds.  Jayford Rodriguez, returning to the team after more than a year’s absence due to injuries, backed up Nailon with 10 more points. Ricky Ricafuente led Laguna with a game-best 23 points followed by Glenn Bolocon with 14.

How They Scored:

First Game

M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (78) – Nailon 11, Rodriguez 10, Raymundo 9, Saladaga 8, Santos 7, Dacia 7, Belano 7, Padilla 6, Ababon 5, Baguion 4, Abadia 2, Cruz 2.

LAGUNA (74) – Ricafuente 23, Bolocon 14, Bautista 9, Sanz 8, Fampulme 4, Ejercito 4, Athie 4, Mercado 2, Glorioso 2, Aldave 2, Feihl 2, Faundo 0, Saguindel 0, Legaspi 0.

Period Scores: 15-19, 39-33, 61-46, 78-74.

Second Game

ILOCOS SUR (84) – Vizcarra 14, Jaime 14, Williams 13, de Castro 10, Ybanez 7, Junio 7, Santos 4, Gonzales 3, A. Sta. Maria 2, E. Sta. Maria 2, Cacha 0, Agacer 0, Gali 0, Graebel 0.

GEN. SANTOS (76) – Grijaldo 17, Medalla 13, Nicdao 8, Sagad 7, Mendoza 7, Concepcion 6, Angeles 6, Alih 5, Parreno 4, Callo 2, Cordero 1, Bucao 0, Timon 0.

Period Scores: 22-18, 44-37, 60-56, 84-76.PR