Cebu wallops host MP Warriors, 76-65

  GENERAL SANTOS City – Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue grabbed its third weekly championship by walloping the host MP Warriors of GenSan, 76-65, at the close of the General Santos City Leg of the SMC Liga PilipinasConference V at the GMP Sports Complex Saturday night.  More importantly, the team of Joe Soberano and Rick King is already assured of topping the overall standings with one more pocket tournament to be played next week in Cagayan de Oro City.

     Guard Ariel Capus put up a scorching shooting display in the fourth period as Mandaue turned the once-tight game wide open via his three triples and near-flawless shooting clip.  Mark Magsumbol and Marlon Basco also provided timely baskets that kept the MP Warriors in check.

     Capus finished with 27 points on 11 of 14 shooting plus eight rebounds.  Magsumbol supported him with 14 and Basco with 12.  Louie Medalla paced the Warriors with 13 markers followed by Jonathan Parreno with nine.

     For his good play when it mattered most, Capus was named as the week’s Most Valuable Player.  The former Jose Rizal University Bomber dedicated the award to his family, calling them his inspiration to do his best all the time.

     Mandaue coach Jun Tan also became the sixth coach in Liga history to garner three or more weekly titles.  The list includes Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba, Jun Noel, Nomar Isla, Oliver Bunyi and Bing Victoria.

     Meanwhile, the Ilocos Sur CS Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Coach Johnedel Cardel ended their sojourn on a positive note by copping Third Place at the expense of the Laguna Golden Lions of Gov. ER Ejercito and CoachPhilip Cezar, 82-79.

     The CS Tigers picked up three points and finished the Tour Phase with a total of 15, a point better than the MP Warriors.  However, the Warriors will still see action this week thus putting the Tigers’ hopes in jeopardy.  The Golden Lions are secured for the Super Leg with 19 points, good for Third Place in the current overall standings.

     Ariel de Castro led the Tigers with 18 points and Chito Jaime added 11 as the duo made a living off the 11 assists of Warren Ybanez.  Glenn Bolocon set a new conference standard of 30 points and EJ Feihl played his best game yet with 14 points and eight rebounds but their efforts went to naught.

     The Misamis Oriental Meteors and Gov. Oscar S. Moreno will host the sixth and final leg starting Wednesday at the Xavier University Gym as they tangle with Mandaue, GenSan and the defending National Champion M. LhuillierKwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos.  Liga Pilipinas is generously supported by San Miguel, Molten, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel.

How They Scored:

For Third Place

     ILOCOS SUR (82) – de Castro 18, Jaime 11, Canizares 10, Williams 8, Sanders 7, Gonzalez 7, Aguilar 7, Ybanez 6, Vizcarra 4, Taylor 2, Palaganas 2, Zablan 0, Junio 0, Santos 0.

     LAGUNA (79) – Bolocon 30, Feihl 14, Sanz 13, Saguindel 4, Fampulme 4, Mercado 4, Glorioso 3, Legaspi 3, Ricafuente 2, Asoro 2, Flores 0.

     Period Scores: 20-22, 45-40, 64-55, 82-79.

Championship

     MANDAUE (76) – Capus 27, Marlon Basco 14, Magsumbol 12, Doruelo 6, Dedicatoria 6, Sta. Cruz 5, Mondragon 4, Guiyab 2, Losentes 0, Villaver 0.

     GENERAL SANTOS (65) – Medalla 13, Parreno 9, Nicdao 7, Musni 7, Sagad 7, Mendoza 7, Alfad 6, Cordero 4, Pacquiao 2, Angeles 2, Callo 1, Bucao 0.

      Period Scores: 24-21, 35-33, 52-53, 76-65.PR

Pacquiao Warriors vs. Cebu Landmaster RDAK-Mandaue on Tuesday

POINTS STANDINGS (Win-Loss) Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue (7-1) 27 points M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos (7-5) 24 Misamis Oriental Meteors (6-6) 18 Laguna Golden Lions (5-7) 17 Ilocos Sur CS Tigers (4-8) 11 MP Warriors of GenSan (3-5) 7      GENERAL SANTOS City – Rep. Manny Pacquiao’s MP Warriors of GenSan will play their first official games at the spanking new GMP Sports Complex with the opening of the General Santos City Leg of the SMC Liga PilipinasConference V on Tuesday.      The Warriors under Coach Arvin Bonleon will be tested by no less than Cebu Landmaster RDAK-Mandaue, which recently became the first team to bag a second weekly championship this conference, as well as the Laguna Golden Lions and Ilocos Sur CS Tigers.      While Mandaue is currently lording it over the six-team field, focus will be on the battle between the Warriors, Lions and Tigers as the three teams dispute the last two spots in next month’s Super Leg that will determine the next Liga Pilipinas National Champion.  Only five teams of the six teams will advance to the Super Leg that is supported by San Miguel, Molten, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel.      The Warriors will again draw firepower from forward Alfie Grijaldo and guard Louie Medalla, Liga’s third and fourth best scorers with 14.6 and 14.1 respectively.  It is no surprise that the Warriors are also Liga’s top scoring team at 81.3 per game.      On the other hand, Mandaue is winning thanks to its stingy defense engineered by Coach Jun Tan, a Liga-best 61.1.  Two-time weekly Most Valuable Player Mark Magsumbol will again lead the team of Joe Soberano and Rick King, along with backcourt mate Axel Doruelo and center Marlon Basco.      This being their fourth and final weekly assignments, the Golden Lions of Gov. ER Ejercito and the CS Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson are expected to go all out and fortify their grip on a Super Leg berth and create distance between them and the Warriors.      The Golden Lions have won five of their last eight games since basketball legend Philip Cezar took over the coaching reins.  Coach Cezar brought in an improved defense, coupled by the rise in scoring from Glenn Bolocon (15.6 PPG) and Bryan Faundo (11.4 PPG).      Finally, the CS Tigers are looking for more help for team leader Chito Jaime, their only twin-digit scorer at 13.3.  Coach Johnedel Cardel has to extract more consistency from the likes of Ramsey Williams, Jorel Canizares and Warren Ybanez.  After winning their first two games of the conference, the slumping CS Tigers has since won only twice in its next ten outings.       In three previous legs held at the cavernous General Santos City Coliseum in Barangay Lagao, the Warriors could only account for a pair of Third Place trophies in Conference II and the Tournament of the Philippines.  Playing at the new venue could just be the boost they need.  GMP is owned and operated by Rep. Pacquiao and is located in Barangay Tambler near the airport.      Liga Pilipinas concludes its Tour Phase next week in Cagayan de Oro City with the Misamis Oriental Meteors hosting Mandaue, the Warriors and defending National Champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos in all-Southern showdown.PR

Liga Pilipinas starts

Liga Pilipinas Starts
by Anthony E. Servinio for gameface.ph (08/19/09)

Games Today (August 19) – New Cebu Coliseum
4:00 PM Quezon Red Oilers vs. Trace-Laguna Stallions
6:00 PM M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala- Cebu Ninos vs. MP Warriors of GenSan

CEBU CITY – The road to redemption for the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos begin today as they host the kick off leg of the 2009 Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III at the New Cebu Coliseum.

The unpredictable MP Warriors of GenSan of boxing immortal Manny Pacquiao and Coach Ramon Pido will take first crack at the host Ninos in the main game at 6:00 PM. The 4:00 PM appetizer will showcase Southern Luzon stalwarts the Quezon Red Oilers of Gov. Raffy Nantes and Coach Oliver Bunyi and the Trace-Laguna Stallions of Atty. Erwin Genuino and Coach Nomar Isla.

The Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba hope to return to the top of the Liga Pilipinas roost after they ceded the crown to the Misamis Oriental Meteors in a classic five-game series last April 20. The Meteors took the fifth and final match, 64-52, in front of a stunned SRO crowd at the Cebu Coliseum.

To prepare for Conference III, Coach Alcoseba made revisions to the Ninos’ roster, with only nine players from Conference II joining a two returnees and a newcomer.

Veterans led by Conference I MVP Marlon Basco, Bruce Dacia, Abby Santos, Woodraw Enriquez, Stephen Padilla, Alex Cainglet, Mark Ababon, Ariel Mepana and Rino Berame will be back in the Cebu jersey. Returnees Ian Saladaga and Frank Nailon will take another tour of duty with the multi-titled ball club after playing elsewhere last conference. The lone newcomer on the squad is 6’3” forward Jan Malinao out of the University of San Jose-Recoletos.

Pacquiao is expected to grace the occasion with the possibility of suiting up for his very own Warriors. The Warriors’ core remains intact with 6’5” center Christian Cabatu and veteran point guard Jomer Rubi as the only major additions. Cabatu will patrol the frontline with Dondon Mendoza, Weng Farochillen, Jaypee Locsin, Dave Sagad and Jasper Callo while Rubi will give stability to the team that has prolific scorers Bob Ilanga, Dennis Concha, Louie Medalla, Apol Coronado, Jethrone Recustodio, Dondon Tadena, Jonjon Gonzaga and rookie Anthony Timon.

Coach Bunyi will make their Conference III debut missing a lot of his key guns from Conference II. He has elevated several players from their reserve pool while making some new acquisitions. Leading the charge for the Red Oilers will be point guard Roberts Labagala and wingman Mark Magsumbol. Still donning the Quezon uniform is center Erik Suguitan, forwards Jonathan Pinera, Kim Macanig and Fernando de Leon and guards Ryan Panzo, Jerome Chua, Alex Orias, Dennis Casino and Christian Gavina. Center Galen Cacha and forwards Unik Reyes and Luis Palaganas are the newcomers.

Meanwhile, the Stallions sport a new look with 10 returnees but four key additions. Coach Isla retained guards Alex Angeles, Axel Doruelo and Ricky Ricafuente, center Marlon Legaspi and forwards Gerwin Gaco, Jay-Arr Estrada, RB Mangahas, Rob Sanz, Glenn Bolocon and Jan Villaver. However, the Stallions have signed up do-it-all point guard Khiel Misa and tall Liga veterans Ronald Capati, Alfie Grijaldo and Alain Musni.

The four teams will play a single-round robin, with the top two teams disputing the leg championship in a one-game affair this coming Saturday. Liga Pilipinas Conference III is made possible by Smart,Molten, Accel, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington with media partners Solar Sports and Viva Prime.

Completing the 10-team Conference III roster are the Smart-Pampanga Buddies, Taguig Batang Global, Zamboanga Zambos, Bacolod Mang Inasals (formerly Iloilo) and expansion club Mandaue Landmaster. They will make their debut in the coming weeks.

Pawnbrokers stop Pacman, 103-94 in RRD-Inday Kadayawan cagefest final

Pacman’s Louie Medalla (left) eludes Montana’s Robert Allan Quibod in the 2008 Mayor Rody and Vice Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Kadayawan Commercial Basketball Tournament, Sunday night, at the well-attended Davao City Recreation Center. Montana won, 103-94.




Montana Pawnshop Davao stopped a late rally by the Manny Pacquiao Warriors to win the final game, 103-94 of the 2008 Mayor Rody and Vice Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Kadayawan Commercial Basketball Tournament, Sunday night, at the well-attended Davao City Recreation Center.

Ronald Lamocha powered the Pawnbrokers with 30 points and received the most valuable player trophy of the four-day competition.

John Gonzaga, Louie Medalla, who tallied 17 points, apiece for the Pacquiao Warriors, and Jaypee Locsin tried to rally their teammates in the last one minute and 31 seconds as they trailed, 89-95 but Lamocha and Marvin Poloyapoy made the needed shots to keep the Warriors from the snaring the title.

The Davao Collegiate All-Stars placed third in the tournament sanctioned by BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas regional director Regino “Boy” Cua.

Davao City Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan (1^st district) awarded the prizes to the winners.

The scores:

Montana Pawnshop Davao (103)- Lamocha 30, Fernandez 27, Sta.Cruz 18, Clavel 10, Poloyapoy 7, Ayson 7, Quibod 5, Dawal 5, Maniego 2.

Manny Pacquiao Warriors (94)- Gonzaga 17, Medalla 17, Recustudio 13, Sagad 12, Locsin 9, Dagcutan 9, Mejorada 8, Coronado 7, Ramos 2.

MisOr hammers Pacman Warriors, 77-65 to win Mindanao Division title

Game Today (December 5) – New Cebu Coliseum
5:30PM M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City vs. Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue

DAVAO CITY – Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr scored its third straight Mindanao Division title by hammering MP Warriors-GenSan, 77-65, in Game Three of their best-of-three series at the 2007 Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Second Conference Monday at the Almendras Gym.

Trailing 2-5 early in the game, Mindanao Division Most Valuable Player Lowell Briones powered an 18-3 run that gave MisOr of Gov. Oscar Moreno and Coach Bong Abad the lead for good, 20-8. Despite constant threats from the Warriors of Manny Pacquiao and Coach Ramon Pido, MisOr displayed good lead management coupled with a solid defense that disrupted the Warriors’ attacks.

The Warriors threatened for the last time at 52-55 and 7:36 left in the game. MisOr then responded with three straight baskets, 61-52. In a key point of the game, Coach Pido was slapped a technical foul for entering the court while excessively complaining. Briones canned both free throws and in the ensuing possession sank a triple to give MisOr a comfortable 66-54 advantage with still 5:05 to play.

The lead would later balloon to as much as 14 points, 71-57, on another Briones triple and a basket by Ramil Tagupa at the 3:11 mark. Briones finished with 24 points to lead the way for MisOr and secure the MVP award. Mark Moreño followed with 13 points and five steals while Tagupa had 12. Donald Tadena and Apol Coronado were the lone bright spots for the Warriors with 20 and 19 markers respectively as the rest of the team submitted below-par numbers.

MisOr now awaits the Visayas Division champion in the best-of-three MVBA Finals tentatively set for the second week of December. MisOr won the 2007 First Conference and would like to score a sweep of this year’s two conferences sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and supported by ML Kwarta Padala, Nature’s Spring, Sulpicio Lines, Accel, Cokaliong Shipping, Reva Sandals, Gameface.Ph and Nike Basketball. Over at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Center, Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue of Joe Soberano and Coach Jun Tan fashioned a 72-64 triumph over Arthro Kontra Arthritis-Cebu to advance to the Visayas Division Finals against waiting M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City starting tonight at the New Cebu Coliseum.

Landmaster finished off the series, 2-1, winning the last two games. Bong Marata topped Landmaster with 19 points followed by Mike Manigo with 12 and Mark Yee with 10. The Arthro trio of Alex Cainglet, Luther Luke Justiniani and Rino Berame all had 10 points each. The Landmaster defense limited Doroteo Almacin to only two points after back-to-back 23-point outputs in the series’ first two games.

M. Lhuillier and Landmaster split their two classification round dates with the host team winning. Landmaster won last September 21 in Mandaue, 83-81. M. Lhuillier returned the favor, 86-67, last October 19 at the Cebu Coliseum.

How They Scored:
HOLCIM PRYCE-MISOR (77) – Briones 24, Moreño 13, Tagupa 12, Nailon 9, Cruz 8, Sanchez 5, Numeran 4, Concha 2, Abadia 0, Sevilla 0, Jabagat 0.

MP WARRIORS-GENSAN (65) – Tadena 20, Coronado 19, Menor 8, Farochillen 6, Daja 6, Recustodio 4, Dennison 2, Rubi 0, Ramos 0, Locsin 0, Medalla 0. Period Scores: 22-13, 38-35, 55-48, 77-65. (MisOr wins series, 2-1)

CEBU LANDMASTER-MANDAUE (72) – Marata 19, Manigo 12, Yee 10, Santa Cruz 8, Nicdao 5, Mangubat 5, Saladaga 5, Abellanosa 3, Ocañada 3, Gloria 2.

ARTHRO-CEBU (64) – Cainglet 10, Justiniani 10, Berame 10, Ursal 9, Bucao 8, Ababon 7, Mercado 6, Almacin 2, Garcia 2. Period Scores: 20-9, 30-27, 50-49, 72-64. (Landmaster wins series, 2-1)
(Anthony E. Servinio)

Pacman Warriors vs. MisOr tonight

Game Today (December 2) – Almendras Gym
7:00PM MP Warriors-GenSan vs. Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr(Mindanao Finals, Game Two)

DAVAO CITY – Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr shoots for its third straight Mindanao Division Championship tonight when they battle MP Warriors-GenSan in Game Two of the best-of-three Mindanao Division Finals of the 2007 Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Second Conference at the Almendras Gym.

Should the Warriors of Manny Pacquiao and Coach Ramon Pido stave off elimination by winning tonight and leveling the series, the winner-take-all Game Three will be played tomorrow (December 3), at a venue to be determined.

Entering tonight’s contest, MisOr of Gov. Oscar Moreno and Coach Bong Abad remains the heavy favorite owing to their perfect record against their fellow Mindanao Division teams. MisOr defeated the Warriors twice in the classification round, 81-74 at the Xavier University Gym last October 9 and 78-57 last November 16 at the South Cotabato Gym and Cultural Center.

Expected to lead the charge of MisOr are guards Anton Villoria and Mark Moreño, who are known to up their numbers whenever they play the Warriors. Also seen to play big roles are centers Nat Cruz and Frank Nailon, gunner Lowell Briones and reigning Player of the Week Ramil Tagupa.

The Warriors seem to struggle against MisOr, with center Erian Daja the lone bright spot averaging 14.0 points in their two meetings. Coach Pido has to restore the confidence of the rest of his crew to produce their regular statistics, especially team scoring leader Rolly Menor and usually prolific guards Louie Medalla, Donald Tadena, Roderick Ramos and Apol Coronado. MisOr swept Goldstar Hardware Duterte Agilas-Davao in the Division Semifinals, 2-0, to arrange the showdown with the Warriors who earned a outright spot in the Division Finals of the league sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) and made possible by ML Kwarta Padala, Nature’s Spring Water, Sulpicio Lines, Accel, Cokaliong Shipping, Reva Sandals, Gameface.Ph and Nike Basketball.

Meanwhile, Game Three of the Visayas Division Semifinals between Arthro Kontra Arthritis-Cebu of Jonathan Guardo and Coach Al Solis and Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue of Joe Soberano and Coach Jun Tan will be played tomorrow at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex. The winner will then play M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City in the best-of-three Visayas Division Finals that will start on December 4 at the New Cebu Coliseum.

The two division champions will tangle in the best-of-three MVBA Finals tentatively scheduled to start on December 8.(Anthony E. Servinio)

MVBA Update

Mindanao-Visayas Basketball Association Update:

December 2 (Sunday) -- South Cotabato Gym and Cultural Center6:00PM MP Warriors-GenSan vs. Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr (Mindanao Finals, Game Two)

December 3 (Monday) -- Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Center5:30PM Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue vs. Arthro Kontra Arthritis (Visayas Semifinals, Game Three)

December 3 (Monday) -- South Cotabato Gym and Cultural Center6:00PM MP Warriors-GenSan vs. Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr (Mindanao Finals, Game Three -- IF NEEDED)

Pacman Warriors clinch outright berth in Minda finals

VISAYAS DIVISION
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City 8-2
Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue 8-2
Arthro Kontra Arthritis-Cebu 4-6

MINDANAO DIVISION
MP Warriors-GenSan 5-4
Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr 2-6
Duterte Agilas-Davao 1-8

Game on November 18 – Almendras Gym6:00PM Duterte Agilas-Goldstar Hardware vs. Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr

KORONADAL CITY – The MP Warriors-GenSan clinched an outright berth in the Mindanao Division Finals of the 2007 Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Second Conference with a hard-earned win over the gritty Goldstar Hardware-supported Duterte Agilas-Davao, 90-84, last Thursday (November 15) at the South Cotabato Gym and Cultural Center.

The Warriors of boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao and Coach Ramon Pido repeated their mastery over the Agilas of Coach Rhoel Josol, who they defeated last November 13 at the Almendras Gym, 91-80.

The Warriors rose to 5-4, thus snuffing the chances of Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr.

MisOr (2-6) was playing the Warriors at press time last night and was praying for a Warriors defeat in order to catch up in the standings of the league sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) and generously supported by ML Kwarta Padala, Nature’s Spring Water, Sulpicio Lines, Accel, Cokaliong Shipping, Reva Sandals, Gameface.Ph and Nike Basketball.

The Warriors took their biggest lead of the game, 59-47, on a basket by Roderick Ramos midway through the third quarter. Suddenly, the Agilas awoke with Bob Cozy Ilanga leading a 12-5 run to start the final quarter capped by a Boboy Berami stab that brought the Agilas to their closest, 73-75, and 4:45 on the clock.

In the ensuing play, grizzled veteran Jomer Rubi played fireman by sinking a triple, 78-73. The Agilas then failed to score a field goal, forcing them to give up fouls to buy time. Despite another triple from Ilanga with a minute to play, 78-84, the Warriors countered with Rubi and Louie Medalla shooting well from the free throw line to preserve the win.

The Agilas had a good start, taking the first period, 20-18, with Berami hitting 10 markers. Then just like in their first meeting, Warrior Apol Coronado exploded in the second canto, clustering six unanswered points to erase a 28-32 deficit and give his side the lead for good, 34-32. Halftime was pegged at 44-37.

Jeffy Locsin scored a personal conference-high of 14 points to lead the Warriors followed by Medalla and Donald Tadena with 10 each. Berami topped the Agilas with 20 points while Fred Sampilo added 14 and Ilanga 13.

In the final game of the 30-game classification round, the Agilas face MisOr on November 18 at the Almendras Gym starting at 6:00PM. The game could decide who among the two teams will hold the precious home court advantage in the best-of-three Mindanao Division Wildcard round set to begin on either November 19 or 20.

MisOr subdued the Agilas in their first meeting, 100-89, at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro last October 8.

How They Scored:

MP WARRIORS-GENSAN (90) – Locsin 14, Medalla 10, Tadena 10, Coronado 9, Farochillen 8, Rubi 7, Menor 7, Recustodio 6, Ramos 6, Daja 6, Callo 4, Deligero 2, Cabanlit 1. DUTERTE

AGILAS-DAVAO (84) – Berami 20, Sampilo 14, Ilanga 13, Solis 8, Te 7, Delica 6, Gonzaga 5, Atablanco 4, Mejorada 4, Sagad 2, Razon 1, Bajenting 0. Period Scores: 18-20, 44-37, 70-61, 90-84.(Anthony E. Servinio)

Duterte Agilas-Goldstar Hardware in action vs. Manny Pacquiao Warriors

Duterte Agilas-Goldstar Hardware's Morris Mejorada (No.25) is defended by MP Warriors' Jasper Callo (No.8) and Rolly Menor in this bit of action in the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association at the Davao City Recreation Center on Nov.13.

The Agilas-Goldstar left for Koronadal on Nov.15 to play the same team at the South Cotabato gym.

Game time is at 6 p.m.(Photo courtesy of Davao Sportswriters Association)

MP Warriors shoot down Duterte Agilas-Goldstar Hardware, 91-80

Apols Coronado provided the spark in the late part of the second quarter for the Manny Pacquiao Warriors who continued scorching hot to shoot down the Duterte Agilas-Goldstar Hardware, 91-80 in the Mindanao-Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) 2nd Season, Tuesday night, at the well-attended Davao City Recreation Center.

The MP Warriors exploited their hosts' loose defense to slowly build the lead from 10 points, 57-47, 2:43 remaining to 20 points, 67-47 at the end of the third quarter.

There was no threat from the outside by the Agilas-Goldstar and Melfred Sampilo, the shooter recruited from the Ozamiz Cotta, went back only to the game with two minutes and 13 seconds remaining in th fourth quarter to replace John Gonzaga.

Sampilo fired a three-pointer to put the Agilas-Goldstar just nine points away, 76-85, 56 seconds remaining but time was not on their side.

The Agilas-Goldstar fought back with Bob Cozy Ilanga, Sampilo and Greggy Delica on the attack, 73-84, 1:03 left but the MP Warriors used wisely the remaining time to stop their rivals.
The hosts kicked off with a good start, 21-17 in the first quarter with Joel Solis, James Scott Razon, Dave Sagad, Ilanga and Arturo Atablanco combined.

The MP Warriors started to pull away when Rolly Menor, Donald Tadena, Erian Daja, Norberto Farochilen, Jasper Callo and JP Locsin delivered the big shots that nailed the Agilas-Goldstar at the 47th point with three minutes and nine seconds left the third canto.

The team of ring idol Manny Pacquiao improved to four wins against four setbacks while the Agilas-Goldstar absorbed their seventh loss against one victory.

They hope to bounce back when the Warriors play hosts on November 15, Thursday, at the South Cotabato gym in Koronadal City.

The Agilas-Goldstar will be back at the Davao City Recreation Center on November 18, 6 p.m., to play the visiting Misamis Oriental five.