LIGA FRONTRUNNERS CLASH AT MANDAUE LEG

POINTS STANDINGS (Win-Loss)

M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos (6-2) 22 points

Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue (4-0) 15

Laguna Golden Lions (3-5) 13

Misamis Oriental Meteors (4-4) 11

Ilocos Sur CS Tigers (4-8) 11

MP Warriors of GenSan (3-5) 7

LIGA FRONTRUNNERS CLASH AT MANDAUE LEG

     MANDAUE CITY – Four teams at the top of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V overall points standings try to pull away further from the rest of the field as hosts Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue stake their undefeated record against fellow frontrunners M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos, Misamis Oriental Meteors and Laguna Golden Lions at the start of Mandaue City Leg today (June 8) at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

     Mandaue hopes to prove that their four-game sweep of the Cebu City Leg last May 21 was no fluke.  The team of Joe Soberano and Coach Jun Tan are still on a high after annexing the franchise’s first ever Liga trophy.

     Waiting for their turn at redemption are the Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba who absorbed back-to-back setbacks at home at the Cebu Coliseum to Mandaue, a team loaded with former Ninos led by Cebu City Leg Most Valuable Player Mark Magsumbol and Ariel Capus.

     The Ninos are pacing the six-team field with a total of 22 points from two legs.  Ilocos Sur Leg MVP Jayford Rodriguez (13.1 PPG) and Ian Saladaga (10.0 PPG) are the defending National Champions’ 1-2 scoring punch.

     While Mandaue and Cebu duke it out, the Meteors and Golden Lions also have some issues to settle on the court after the Golden Lions of Gov. ER Ejercito and newly-appointed coach Philip Cezarsuccessfully defended their home turf at the San Luis Sports Complex in taking the Laguna Leg over the Meteors, 94-92, last May 28.

     Cebu-born Glenn Bolocon was named as the MVP of the Laguna Leg and is their leading scorer with 16.6 points per game.  Center Bryan Faundo, who suddenly has become a threat on offense, follows with 12.6 PPG.

     Meanwhile, the Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel will bank on flashy guard Egay Billones who marked his Liga debut by immediately assuming the league’s scoring leadership at 16.8 PPG.  Billones is expected to draw a lot of help of Lyndon Gudez and Dino Daa.

     All four teams will play a single round robin with the two teams with the best records slugging it out for the weekly championship in a one-game playoff this coming Saturday.  After Mandaue City, the conference’s last two legs will be held in the cities of General Santos and Cagayan de Oro and will be immediately followed by the playoffs.

     The games of Liga Pilipinas are made possible by San Miguel, Molten, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel.  Drawing a bye this week are the Ilocos Sur CS Tigers and the MP Warriors of GenSan.PR

LAGUNA IS THE CHAMPION, GEN.SANTOS BAGS 3RD SPOT

     SANTA CRUZ, Laguna – The host Laguna Golden Lions were crowned
the champions of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V Laguna Leg
Saturday via a 94-92 decision over the Misamis Oriental Meteors at the
San Luis Sports Complex.

     In control of the game since the first period, the Golden Lions
of Gov. ER Ejercito and Coach Philip Cezar leaned on a Boyet Bautista
triple that gave them the lead for good, 6-4.  Bautista then joined
Glenn Bolocon and Bryan Faundo in maintaining their advantage.

     The Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel did not
easily give up as they began the third canto with a 9-2 run that put
them within a point, 44-45.  Bautista answered by scoring 10 points
and Faundo and Bolocon continued their scoring spree as the Lions
stayed on top entering the fourth period, 70-60.

     Egay Billones and Allan Salangsang presided over the Meteors’
final assault that cut their deficit to three, 79-82, and 4:24 left in
the game.  Again, it was Faundo and Bolocon that bailed out the Lions
with timely shots.  Bautista and Earn Saguindel sealed the victory
from the free throw line with ten ticks to go, 94-86.  Two late
triples by Dino Daa settled the final tally.

     Bolocon powered the Golden Lions with 21 points and seven
rebounds while Bautista added 19 points and eight assists.  Billones
paced the Meteors with 20 markers followed by Ken Bono and Allan
Salangsang who both finished with 14 each.

     For leading the Golden Lions with a 19.3 scoring average, Bolocon
was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.  It was redemption
for the hosts as they made up for their debacle in the Ilocos Sur Leg
a month ago wherein they lost all their four games.

     The Golden Lions earned 10 points for the championship to vault
them to Third Place in the overall Tour standings with 13.  The
Meteors picked up five points for a total of 11 and Fourth Place.

     In the playoff of Third Place, the MP Warriors of GenSan ended
their tournament on a positive note by prevailing over the Ilocos Sur
CS Tigers, 83-71.  The Warriors of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin
Bonleon lost all three preliminary round games.

     Christian Nicdao had a monster game with 19 points, nine rebounds
and five blocks.  Louie Medalla banged in five triples for 18 points.
Ismael Junio paced the Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Coach
Johnedel Cardel with 22 points highlighted by five triples.  Chris
Santos followed with 10 markers.

     Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue takes its turn to host the next
Liga Pilipinas Leg from June 8 to 11 at the Mandaue City Cultural and
Sports Center.  Visiting them will be the defending National Champion
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala, Cebu Ninos, Meteors and Golden Lions.

How They Scored:

For Third Place

     GENERAL SANTOS (83) – Nicdao 19, Medalla 18, Callo 11, Grijaldo
9, Concepcion 9, Timon 7, Angeles 5, Parreno 3, Sagad 2, Legada 0,
Bucao 0, Alih 0, Mendoza 0.

     ILOCOS SUR (71) – Junio 22, Jaime 10, Palaganas 9, Santos 7, E.
Sta. Maria 7, de Castro 4, Williams 4, Ybanez 3, Canizares 3, Cacha 2,
Gonzalez 0, Gali 0, Vizcarra 0.

     Period Scores: 26-20, 52-38, 67-62, 83-71.

Championship

     LAGUNA (94) – Bolocon 21, Bautista 19, Faundo 18, Legaspi 9, Sanz
7, Fampulme 6, Flores 6, Saguindel 4, Mercado 4, Ejercito 0, Feihl 0.

     MISAMIS ORIENTAL (92) – Billones 20, Daa 15, Bono 14, Salangsang
14, Misa 8, Lamocha 6, Raneses 5, Capati 4, Lucernas 4, Gudez 2,
Andaya 0.

     Period Scores: 22-12, 43-35, 70-63, 94-92.PR

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

Laguna outlasts Manny Pacquiao Warriors, 87-78

TEAM STANDINGS

Laguna Golden Lions 1-0

Ilocos Sur CS Tigers 1-0

Misamis Oriental Meteors 0-1

MP Warriors of GenSan 0-1

Games Today (May 27) – San Luis Sports Complex

4:00 PM Misamis Oriental Meteors vs. MP Warriors of GenSan

6:00 PM Ilocos Sur CS Tigers vs. Laguna Golden Lions

    

 

SANTA CRUZ, Laguna – The Laguna Golden Lions finally tallied their first win of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V by outlasting the MP Warriors of GenSan, 87-78, on opening day of the Laguna Leg Wednesday at the San Luis Sports Complex.

With basketball legend Philip Cezar debuting as head coach and team owner Gov. ER Ejercito watching at the sidelines, the Golden Lions bucked a shaky start to slowly run away from the Warriors of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin Bonleon. From a 9-9 deadlock, Glenn Bolocon came off the bench to combine with starting center Bryan Faundo as they scored all but three of the Golden Lions’ next 19 points to grab the lead for good after one period, 28-18.

Bolocon then added timely baskets in the second half in tandem with Gherome Ejercito to frustrate the Warriors’ repeated attempts to rally.Bolocon then capped his performance with a three-point play that virtually dashed the Warriors’ hopes, 87-74, and 2:07 to play.

Bolocon finished with 23 points and five rebounds while Faundo followed with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Louie Medalla paced the Warriors with 17 points while Alfie Grijaldo chipped in 15.

In the opener, the Ilocos Sur CS Tigers hung tough down the stretch to end their six-game losing skid by whipping the Misamis Oriental Meteors, 86-81.

Chito Jaime sank a triple with 37 seconds remaining that pushed the CS Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Coach Johnedel Cardel ahead, 82-81. Lyndon Gudez then fired a hurried triple that went nowhere, forcing the Meteors to foul former FEU Tamaraw John Gonzalez.

Gonzalez, who went scoreless in the Tigers’ first eight games, responded by sinking his two free throws for an 84-81 count and 17 ticks to go. Gudez and Dino Daa then continued to miss from three-point range forcing them to foul Gonzalez again who responded by shooting two more free throws for the final tally with four seconds on the clock.

The Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel looked to have the game in the bag, erecting a 77-71 advantage entering the final two minutes. Warren Ybanez made six straight baskets to fuel the Tigers’ rally, setting the stage for Jaime and Gonzalez’ endgame heroics.

Jaime led all scorers with a total of 26 points and seven rebounds. Ramsey Williams had another all-around performance with 14 points and eight assists. Gonzales submitted 12 points on top of seven rebounds. Gudez led the Meteors with five triples en route to 19 points. New addition Ernesto Billones debuted as a Meteor with 18 points and eight assists.

How They Scored:

First Game

ILOCOS SUR (86) – Jaime 26, Williams 14, Gonzalez 12, de Castro 10, Canizares 8, Ybanez 6, Palaganas 4, Santos 4, Junio 2, Cacha 0, Gali 0, Vizcarra 0.

MISAMIS ORIENTAL (81) – Gudez 19, Billones 18, Capati 13, Misa 7, Bono 5, Raneses 4, Daa 4, Lamocha 4, Lucernas 4, Salangsang 2, Andaya 1, Villariza 0.

Period Scores: 21-24, 41-43, 66-63, 86-81.

Second Game

LAGUNA (87) – Bolocon 23, Faundo 15, Ejercito 9, Flores 7, Legaspi 7, Bautista 6, Aldave 6, Fampulme 4, Mercado 2, Sanz 2, Ricafuente 2, Feihl 2, Saguindel 1, Lingal 1.

GENERAL SANTOS (78) – Medalla 17, Grijaldo 15, Parreno 12, Cordero 8, Sagad 7, Concepcion 6, Mendoza 6, Bucao 5, Timon 4, Nicdao 2, Callo 0, Alih 0, Angeles 0.

Period Scores: 28-15, 55-36, 73-63, 87-78.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