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)

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)

Montana hands Pacman 2nd loss,M. Lhuillier downs Bida-Laguna

Will the real Pacman please stand up?
Manny Pacquiao’s basketball franchise went down to another heartbreaking defeat and with two losses in as many games, you get to start thinking if the real Pacman should be suiting up for his team or can Freddie Roach can help its cause.
But this is basketball and this team may not have the speed and marksmanship of its owner in a close 84-80 overtime loss to the home squad Montana Pawnshop on Monday night in the Mayor Rody-Vice Mayor Inday Sara 73rd Araw ng Dabaw Invitational basketball tournament.

Late in the night, Cebu’s M. Lhuillier turned back Team Bida of Laguna 91-75 to get back on track after an opening day loss and for the second playdate, fans filled the newly-refurbished Almendras Gym to the rafters reminiscent of the good old days.
Montana’s sweet-shooting wingman Henry Fernandez fired 8 of the Jewels’ last 10 points in regulation but it was Don Tadena’s putback that sent the game into overtime. Pacman’s Louie Medalla showed a lot of spunk in the fourth period, firing 11 of his 18 points, including a booming triple that could have won it for Pacman.

The story in overtime was about experience and that was essayed well by Montana’s veterans.
Speedy quarterback Michael Manigo broke Pacman’s swarming defense, regaled the crowd with several passes whipped from the blind side to Fernandez and Tadena as the Jewels survived the Warriors from Gen. Santos City who showed a lot of heart despite falling short of ammunition.

The second win shoved Montana by the doorstep to the finals as it remained the only unbeaten team in this tournament organized under the supervision of the City Sports Development Division and the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Laguna’s Team Bida, which stands for Batang Iwas Droga, led through the third canto but wilted under the heat of Lhuillier rifleman Stephen Padilla’s scorching triples. Padilla, a former PBA journeyman, fired 7 triples from way out of the amateur arc to lead the Cebuanos with 24 points. Crowd favorite Marlon Basco added 14 including a one-handed slam in the dying seconds while Mark Magsumbol, who celebrated his birthday a night before, and Ariel Mepana combined for 23.

The Drugbusters were paced by Robert Sanz with 15 while Leomar Losented added 13.

Both Lhuillier and Bida tote a 1-1 win-loss slate and will need a win to at least tie for a finals berth. Lhuillier has a +12 quotient after 2 games while Bida has -6. That means Bida has to beat Montana in the last day of eliminations and pray that Lhuillier lose to Pacman to earn a ticket to the finals. A win by Lhuillier coupled by a Bida loss will arrange a Montana-Lhuillier finals.
A 3-way tie is possible if Montana loses to Bida and Lhuillier wins over Pacman. In that case, the quotient system will be the decider. Montana thus far holds a +8 quotient.

With the three franchises mathematically still in contention, Pacman will be relegated to the role of playing spoiler. It may not help its cause but it will surely rock the standings. A call from the real Pacman straight from Vegas may yet prick the pride of the franchise to go for one last crack at victory.
Whatever, expect a fight from the Pacman Warriors. Afterall, they do not cower like James Clottey. (pr)

Laguna’s Bida stops Pacman, Montana edges M. Lhuillier

Manny Pacquiao’s Pacman Warriors failed to ride on the crest of their chief backer’s convincing win on Sunday and the home team Montana Pawnshop pulled off a big one before their ecstatic fans as Davao quenched its thirst for the big leagues with a newly-refurbished arena.

Contrasting fates as they turned out to be, still there was no missing the point. Basketball’s happy days are back.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte formally opened the doors to the new-look Davao City Recreation Center (nee Almendras Gym) in an emotional ceremony marked by the recognition of the city’s sports heroes and the return of big-time tournaments in this basketball-crazy city. After giving his short but heart-tugging speech, the Mayor who will end his term on June, took a bow and the crowd stood up in appreciation.
And unlike the 51,000 paying fans over at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, the capacity crowd that filled the DCRC did not go home frustrated. There was just a lot of making up to do in terms of basketball action. Mayor Duterte watched from the sidelines along with Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta and a host of barangay captains, and Purefoods assistant coach Ronnie Magsanoc.

Action was intense on the hardcourt as the Pacman Warriors were stopped to their toes in a game that almost turned ugly with a near-boxing match. But still, that’s part of basketball. Anyways, Pacman’s squad took it flush on the chin from Laguna’s Team Bida 87-77 for its first loss while the Jewels of Davao walked off proudly with a 91-87 conquest of M.Lhuillier Kwarta Padala.
That and more capped a grandiose opening of the Mayor Rody-Vice Mayor Inday Sara 73rd Araw ng Dabaw Invitational basketball tournament.

If defense was Manny Pacquiao’s main problem on the ring, Team Bida’s defense was also the headache for his Warriors. Former San Miguel Beerman Marlon Legaspi imposed his presence in the paint while Leomer Losentes and Glen Bolocon provided the spark for the Laguna franchise. Together, the troika conspired for 30 markers.

The Warriors were frustrated no end by the pesky defense of Bida even as Jhon Gonzaga caught fire with 16 and Louie Medalla had 13. At crucial stretches in the fourth period, they just could not turn their luck around.

In the nightcap, Montana Pawnshop pulled away from a tight first half with beanpole Fred Canlas scoring off nifty passes inside and then survived a big rally by M. Lhuillier in the final period. The 6-9 Canlas scored 10 points in the third quarter, six of them coming off and-one plays, as the Jewels erected a 61-45 lead, 4:06 left.

Ronald Lamocha, who took over at center when the red-hot Canlas was curiously benched in the fourth, and Donald Tadena preserved the win after the Cebuanos equalized in the fourth period with a scorching run keyed by Ian Saladaga and ex-pro Stephen Padilla. Montana was led by Lamocha with 17, veteran Michael Manigo had 16 and a slew of threading-the-needle feeds, while Canlas and Fernandez added 13 and 12, respectively.

The crowd erupted in frenzy just before the buzzer sounded to end the first half when Lhuillier’s Marlon Basco, another former PBA player, caught the ball on air after a missed jumper and then slammed it home with impunity.

By all indications, the happy days of basketball are here again. (pr)

TAGUIG NIPS HOST LAGUNA, MEETS UNDEFEATED MISOR IN LEG FINALS

STANDINGS
Misamis Oriental Meteors 3-0

Forward Taguig 2-1

Trace-Laguna Stallions 1-2

MP Warriors of GenSan 0-3



TAGUIG NIPS HOST LAGUNA, MEETS UNDEFEATED MISOR IN LEG FINALS



LOS BANOS, LAGUNA – Burly center Ariel de Castro scored eight points in a crippling 11-0 windup to send Forward Taguig into the championship game of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Laguna Leg at the expense of host Trace-Laguna Stallions, 77-74, at the Stallions’ Gym of Trace College Friday night.



De Castro, a product of the National University, capped his heroics with the go-ahead basket at the 16-second mark, 76-74. Alex Angeles then drove to the hoop and issued a drop pass only to see the ball slip from Ron Capati’s hands and return possession to Taguig.



Rex Leynes was quickly fouled and he split his charities for the final tally with six ticks to play. Lou Gatumbato then preserved the win by tapping the ball away from Jan Villaver into the waiting arms of Leynes who then dribbled the time away.



The Stallions of Atty. Erwin Genuino and Coach Nomar Isla were comfortably ahead entering the final two minutes, 74-64, thanks to back-to-back triples by RB Mangahas and a Ron Capati basket. That was the last to be heard from the hosts as they bungled four free throws and committed costly errors down the stretch.



Paul Reguera led Taguig with 15 points followed Gatumbato with 14. Mangahas paced the Stallions with 16 and Villaver added 15 markers.



Taguig of Mayor Freddie Tinga and Coach Bing Victoria will meet defending National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors in the one-game finale. The Meteors of Gov. Oscar Moreno and Coach Jun Noel formalized their entry in the finals by punishing the MP Warriors of GenSan in the first game, 95-80.



The Meteors opened the contest with a 14-0 run and never looked back. The best that the Warriors of Manny Pacquiao and Coach Ramon Pido could do was to threaten via a Jomer Rubi basket in the third canto, 40-46.



Back-to-back field goals by Melvin Mamaclay and Rocky Clavel to start the final period erected the Meteors’ biggest advantage, 71-50. The win proved costly again as the Meteors’ rotation was further decimated with prolific guard Lyndon Gudez twisting his right knee in the second period. Gudez and opening day casualty Mark Moreno are doubtful for the championship game.



Patrick Cabahug topped the Meteors with 16 points while Clavel and Ramil Tagupa contributed 15 points each. Bob Cozy Ilanga led the Warriors with 17 points followed by Jasper Callo with 12.



The Meteors’ three-game sweep of the preliminaries earned them a two-point bonus as they moved into good position to barge into the upper half of the overall tour standings of the league backed by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).



Selected games from the Laguna Leg will be shown next week via Solar Sports from Wednesday to Saturday. Also, Liga Pilipinas Classics are seen daily on Viva Prime Channel. The league’s official website is at www.ligapilipinas.net.



How They Scored:



First Game



MISAMIS ORIENTAL (95) – Cabahug 16, Clavel 15, Tagupa 15, Saldua 14, Mamaclay 14, Daja 6, Barcellano 6, Gudez 5, Butel 2, Sanchez 1, Guiyab 1.



GENERAL SANTOS (80) – Ilanga 17, Callo 12, Recustodio 11, Cabatu 11, Sagad 9, Mendoza 7, Rubi 5, Tadena 4, Concha 2, Medalla 2, Gonzaga 0, Farochillen 0, Locsin 0, Coronado 0.



Period Scores: 28-12, 42-32, 67-50, 98-50.



Second Game



TAGUIG (79) – Reguera 15, Gatumbato 14, de Castro 13, Sta. Cruz 12, Moody 6, Walsham 6, Leynes 6, Marquez 4, de Guia 1.



LAGUNA (77) – Mangahas 16, Villaver 15, Misa 11, Capati 9, Bolocon 8, Estrada 7, Doruelo 3, Legaspi 3, Sanz 2, Angeles 0, Grijaldo 0.



Period Scores: 28-22, 33-37, 55-61, 77-74.