TAGUIG CITY – The visiting sixth seed Trace-Laguna Stallions forced a winner-take-all game for the last seat in this weekend’s Super Leg by upsetting fifth seed Forward Taguig, 83-79, in their Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Wild Card game Tuesday evening at the C. P. Tinga Memorial Hall.
With their conference on the line, the Stallions of Atty. Erwin Genuino and Coach Nomar banked on the combined 15 fourth period points of guard Alex Angeles and the returning Leo Losentes plus crucial baskets by Alfie Grijaldo to pull off the victory and remain in the hunt for the last remaining seat in next week's Liga SuperLeg National Finals.
With Taguig constantly threatening, Grijaldo, Angeles and Losentes banged in a triple each that erected an 81-74 Stallions advantage with 1:13 to play. Angeles and Losentes then split their separate trips to the free throw each to ensure the win at the 41-second mark. Jeff Sanders settled the final tally with the game’s final five points.
Angeles, RB Mangahas and Ron Capati gave Laguna their biggest lead of the contest, 43-33, early in the third period. Taguig of Mayor Freddie R. Tinga and Coach Bing Victoria slowly closed in, with Michael Gonzales giving them the lead for the first time via a three-point play with 8:16 remaining in the final canto, 58-56.
After a deadlock and four lead changes, Grijaldo followed a Jan Villaver triple with a basket that gave the Stallions the lead for good, 68-67, and 3:59 to play. A good first period worked wonders for the Stallions as Capati and Rob Sanz quickly found their scoring touch for a 19-14 advantage.
“Cebu City, we’re getting there,” said an exhausted Coach Isla. “After the Apayao Leg, we held team meetings and the team vowed to work very hard at practice as we prepared for Taguig.” Taguig’s twice-to-beat advantage is now history and both coaches have less than 24 hours to make adjustments for the rubber match to be held still at Tinga Hall.
Angeles had a good all-around game with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists in 34 minutes of play. Sanz followed with 12 points. Sanders paced Taguig with 22 points while Nino Marquez chipped in 14.
The five-team Super Leg is scheduled for November 22 to 29 at the New Cebu Coliseum and will determine the next Liga Pilipinas National Champion. Already earning their tickets are the undefeated M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos, Smart-Pampanga Buddies, Quezon Red Oilers and the defending National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors.
The Liga Pilipinas Wild Card games and the whole Super Leg will be aired on Solar Sports starting next week. Liga Pilipinas Classics are also seen daily on Viva Prime Channel. For more information, visit www.ligapilipinas.net. Liga Pilipinas Conference III is made possible by Smart, Molten, Accel, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
How They Scored:
LAGUNA (83) – Angeles 14, Sanz 12, Losentes 9, Estrada 8, Capati 8, Villaver 8, Mangahas 7, Grijaldo 7, Pradas 6, Musni 2, Legaspi 2, Anquilo 0.
TAGUIG (79) – Sanders 22, Marquez 14, Gatumbato 11, Gonzales 8, Sta, Cruz 6, Moody 5, Araman 4, Baluyot 4, de Castro 3, Reguera 2, de Guia 0, Kiram 0.
Period Scores: 19-14, 31-29, 53-53, 83-79.
Showing posts with label Smart Liga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Smart Liga. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Smart-Pampanga Buddies finally taste championship gold
FINAL LIGA PILIPINAS TOUR STANDINGS (W-L)
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos (16-0) – 60 points
Smart-Pampanga Buddies (10-6) – 36
Quezon Red Oilers (9-7) – 35
Misamis Oriental Meteors (10-6) – 33
Forward Taguig (10-6) – 32
Trace-Laguna Stallions (8-8) – 26
Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue (8-8) – 15
MP Warriors of GenSan (3-13) – 8
Zamboanga Uno Latinos (1-15) - 6
Game Wednesday (November 11) – Quezon Convention Center
4:00 PM Quezon Red Oilers vs. MP Warriors of GenSan
LUNA, APAYAO – After a trio of runner-up finishes, the Smart-Pampanga Buddies finally tasted championship gold by blasting the host EKB-Apayao Rapids, 95-81, to claim the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Apayao Leg title in front of a capacity Bienvenido G. Verzola Jr. Memorial Sports Center last Saturday evening.
More importantly, the win catapulted the Buddies under Coach Allan Gregorio all the way to Second Place in the overall Liga Tour Standing with 36 points, gaining the second outright spot in the Super Leg that will determine the next National Champion. Already qualified are the undefeated top seed and leg host M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos. The Super Leg is scheduled from November 22 to 29 and is backed by Smart, Molten, Accel, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington, with the sanction of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
With a shaky 11-point lead after three periods, 69-58, the Buddies turned to brothers Alwin and Anthony Espiritu, Allan Husted and Edwin Asoro to stage a breakaway, ballooning the lead to as high as 17 markers, 85-68 and 3:57 remaining.
The Rapids tasted the lead for the last time, 29-28, on a second period triple by Kris Robles. Hans Thiele then came off the bench in the second period to score 11 points that restored the advantage to the Buddies and build a comfortable halftime cushion, 45-38.
Thiele finished with a total of 17 points followed by Jonathan Aldave with 16 as the Buddies duplicated their 83-78 beating of the Rapids last November 4. Ismael Junio paced the Rapids with 14 points, but had only a free throw to show in the second half. Chris Santos chipped in 12 markers.
Apayao Governor Elias K. Bulut awarded the championship trophy to the winners, including leg Most Valuable Player Aldave. In between games, a pair of skills contests was held sponsored by Mayor Leah C. Bulut-Begtang of Calanasan town. Junio and Rapids reserve June Dizon emerged as the winners of the three-point shootout and slam dunk contest respectively.
Meanwhile, the Trace-Laguna Stallions earned Third Place over Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue, 89-79. The win snapped the Stallions’ three-game losing skid and awarded them three tour points to finish in Sixth Place overall. They will meet Fifth Placer Forward Taguig in the Super Leg wild card round. The Landmaster squad ended up in Seventh Place and will travel to face the Fourth Place and defending National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors. The other playoff fixture will pit the Third Place Quezon Red Oilers against the Eighth Place MP Warriors of GenSan.
RB Mangahas led the Stallions with 16 points followed by Alex Angeles with 14. Francis Mercado topped Mandaue with 17 markers while Jett Latonio and JR Aquino chipped in a dozen each.
The best games of the Apayao Leg will be televised next week on Solar Sports from Wednesday to Saturday. Liga Pilipinas Classics are shown daily on Viva Prime Channel. For more details, log on to www.ligapilipinas.net.
How They Scored:
For Third Place
LAGUNA (89) – Mangahas 16, Angeles 14, Sanz 11, Anquilo 10, Villaver 10, Musni 9, Grijaldo 7, Estrada 5, Tolentino 3, Medina 2, Capati 2, Pradas 0.
MANDAUE (79) – Mercado 17, Latonio 12, Aquino 12, Bautista 10, Berame 9, Cainglet 8, Gabas 6, Cenita 3, Bucao 2.
Period Scores: 29-18, 50-37, 70-58, 89-79.
Championship
PAMPANGA (95) – Thiele 17, Aldave 16, Husted 13, Magpayo 8, Taylor 8, Asoro 8, Al. Espiritu 8, An. Espiritu 8, Gelig 5, Villamin 4, Nicdao 0, Saguindel 0, Sta. Maria 0, Tan 0.
APAYAO (81) – Junio 14, Santos 12, Cruz 11, Lopez 10, Robles 9, Yambao 7, Ebuen 7, Vitug 4, Navarro 3, Bonus 2, Villareal 2, Lustestica 0.
Period Scores: 21-20, 45-38, 69-58, 95-81.
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos (16-0) – 60 points
Smart-Pampanga Buddies (10-6) – 36
Quezon Red Oilers (9-7) – 35
Misamis Oriental Meteors (10-6) – 33
Forward Taguig (10-6) – 32
Trace-Laguna Stallions (8-8) – 26
Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue (8-8) – 15
MP Warriors of GenSan (3-13) – 8
Zamboanga Uno Latinos (1-15) - 6
Game Wednesday (November 11) – Quezon Convention Center
4:00 PM Quezon Red Oilers vs. MP Warriors of GenSan
LUNA, APAYAO – After a trio of runner-up finishes, the Smart-Pampanga Buddies finally tasted championship gold by blasting the host EKB-Apayao Rapids, 95-81, to claim the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Apayao Leg title in front of a capacity Bienvenido G. Verzola Jr. Memorial Sports Center last Saturday evening.
More importantly, the win catapulted the Buddies under Coach Allan Gregorio all the way to Second Place in the overall Liga Tour Standing with 36 points, gaining the second outright spot in the Super Leg that will determine the next National Champion. Already qualified are the undefeated top seed and leg host M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos. The Super Leg is scheduled from November 22 to 29 and is backed by Smart, Molten, Accel, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington, with the sanction of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
With a shaky 11-point lead after three periods, 69-58, the Buddies turned to brothers Alwin and Anthony Espiritu, Allan Husted and Edwin Asoro to stage a breakaway, ballooning the lead to as high as 17 markers, 85-68 and 3:57 remaining.
The Rapids tasted the lead for the last time, 29-28, on a second period triple by Kris Robles. Hans Thiele then came off the bench in the second period to score 11 points that restored the advantage to the Buddies and build a comfortable halftime cushion, 45-38.
Thiele finished with a total of 17 points followed by Jonathan Aldave with 16 as the Buddies duplicated their 83-78 beating of the Rapids last November 4. Ismael Junio paced the Rapids with 14 points, but had only a free throw to show in the second half. Chris Santos chipped in 12 markers.
Apayao Governor Elias K. Bulut awarded the championship trophy to the winners, including leg Most Valuable Player Aldave. In between games, a pair of skills contests was held sponsored by Mayor Leah C. Bulut-Begtang of Calanasan town. Junio and Rapids reserve June Dizon emerged as the winners of the three-point shootout and slam dunk contest respectively.
Meanwhile, the Trace-Laguna Stallions earned Third Place over Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue, 89-79. The win snapped the Stallions’ three-game losing skid and awarded them three tour points to finish in Sixth Place overall. They will meet Fifth Placer Forward Taguig in the Super Leg wild card round. The Landmaster squad ended up in Seventh Place and will travel to face the Fourth Place and defending National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors. The other playoff fixture will pit the Third Place Quezon Red Oilers against the Eighth Place MP Warriors of GenSan.
RB Mangahas led the Stallions with 16 points followed by Alex Angeles with 14. Francis Mercado topped Mandaue with 17 markers while Jett Latonio and JR Aquino chipped in a dozen each.
The best games of the Apayao Leg will be televised next week on Solar Sports from Wednesday to Saturday. Liga Pilipinas Classics are shown daily on Viva Prime Channel. For more details, log on to www.ligapilipinas.net.
How They Scored:
For Third Place
LAGUNA (89) – Mangahas 16, Angeles 14, Sanz 11, Anquilo 10, Villaver 10, Musni 9, Grijaldo 7, Estrada 5, Tolentino 3, Medina 2, Capati 2, Pradas 0.
MANDAUE (79) – Mercado 17, Latonio 12, Aquino 12, Bautista 10, Berame 9, Cainglet 8, Gabas 6, Cenita 3, Bucao 2.
Period Scores: 29-18, 50-37, 70-58, 89-79.
Championship
PAMPANGA (95) – Thiele 17, Aldave 16, Husted 13, Magpayo 8, Taylor 8, Asoro 8, Al. Espiritu 8, An. Espiritu 8, Gelig 5, Villamin 4, Nicdao 0, Saguindel 0, Sta. Maria 0, Tan 0.
APAYAO (81) – Junio 14, Santos 12, Cruz 11, Lopez 10, Robles 9, Yambao 7, Ebuen 7, Vitug 4, Navarro 3, Bonus 2, Villareal 2, Lustestica 0.
Period Scores: 21-20, 45-38, 69-58, 95-81.
EKB-Apayao Rapids barges into c'ship game
STANDINGS (W-L)
Smart-Pampanga Buddies 3-0
EKB-Apayao Rapids 2-1
Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue 1-2
Trace-Laguna Stallions 0-3
LUNA, APAYAO – Host EKB-Apayao Rapids barged into the championship game of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Apayao Leg by eliminating Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue, 76-65, in front of a packed Bienvenido Verzola Jr. Memorial Sports Center Friday night.
With team owner Gov. Elias K. Bulut in attendance, center Lawrence Bonus popped in seven points in a critical fourth period stretch that gave the Rapids a 67-61 lead and 2:55 to play. Mandaue countered with five free throws from Francis Mercado, Rino Berame and JR Aquino to threaten for the last time entering the final two minutes, 65-67.
From there, the Rapids’ defense held the Landmaster quintet scoreless as Leimar Navarro converted three free throws and Randy Lopez scored on a tip-in to erect a commanding 72-65 advantage with 49 ticks to play. Ismael Junio added another free throw and a triple at the buzzer for the final tally.
Bonus led the Rapids with 24 points followed by Junio with 22. Mercado topped Landmaster with 13 points while Ronald Bucao chipped in 12.
In the first game, the undefeated Smart-Pampanga Buddies of Coach Allan Gregorio formalized their entry in the championship game via a 101-98 double overtime classic against the winless Trace-Laguna Stallions of Atty. Erwin Genuino and Coach Nomar Isla.
More importantly, the Buddies gained a two-point bonus for the sweep and blew past the Stallions in the overall tour points standings of the conference supported by Smart, Molten, Accel, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). The Buddies also stand a good chance to capture the second automatic Super Leg berth should they bag the leg championship
Al Magpayo and Allan Husted combined for all of the Buddies’ 11 scores in the second overtime to complete their come-from-behind triumph. Stallion Alfie Grijaldo sank a triple at the1:21 mark to close in for the last time, 96-97. Husted, a balikbayan from California, answered with a basket and two free throws before Robert Sanz settled the final tally with a basket and four seconds remaining. The Stallions though had one final chance as the Buddies committed a backing violation that left three ticks on the clock. Sadly for the Stallions, Alex Angeles missed a triple at the buzzer.
Jonathan Aldave forced the second overtime thank to an offensive tip-in with 0.4 of second left, 89-89. Regulation play ended at 80-80 on a Grijaldo field goal with 25 ticks to go.
The Stallions led by as big as 23 points in the first half, 44-21, behind the four triples of RB Mangahas. The Buddies slowly rallied, taking the lead for the first time, 73-72, on a Don Villamin triple with 3:56 left in the fourth period.
Mapgayo led the Buddies with 18 points while Aldave followed with 17. Grijaldo paced the Stallions with 24 followed by Mangahas with 21.
Selected games from the Apayao Leg will be shown next week on Solar Sports from Wednesday to Saturday. Liga Pilipinas Classics also air daily on Viva Prime Channel. For more information, visit www.ligapilipinas.net.
How They Scored:
First Game
PAMPANGA (101) – Magpayo 18, Aldave 17, Thiele 13, Villamin 9, Asoro 8, Husted 7, Saguindel 7, An. Espiritu 6, Sta. Maria 5, Tan 5, Gelig 3, Al. Espiritu 3, Taylor 0.
LAGUNA (98) – Grijaldo 24, Mangahas 21, Estrada 13, Sanz 10, Musni 10, Angeles 7, Villaver 5, Pradas 5, Legaspi 3, Tolentino 0.
Period Scores: 12-30, 31-48, 52-64, 80-80 (reg.), 89-89 (OT), 101-98 (2OT).
Second Game
APAYAO (76) – Bonus 24, Junio 22, Yambao 10, Lopez 7, Navarro 7, Vitug 4, Lustestica 2, Ebuen 1, Cabico 0, Villareal 0.
MANDAUE (65) – Mercado 13, Bucao 12, Cainglet 11, Aquino 8, Gabas 7, Bautista 5, Berame 5, Cenita 4, Latonio 0.
Period Scores: 27-12, 38-35, 54-54, 76-65.
Smart-Pampanga Buddies 3-0
EKB-Apayao Rapids 2-1
Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue 1-2
Trace-Laguna Stallions 0-3
LUNA, APAYAO – Host EKB-Apayao Rapids barged into the championship game of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Apayao Leg by eliminating Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue, 76-65, in front of a packed Bienvenido Verzola Jr. Memorial Sports Center Friday night.
With team owner Gov. Elias K. Bulut in attendance, center Lawrence Bonus popped in seven points in a critical fourth period stretch that gave the Rapids a 67-61 lead and 2:55 to play. Mandaue countered with five free throws from Francis Mercado, Rino Berame and JR Aquino to threaten for the last time entering the final two minutes, 65-67.
From there, the Rapids’ defense held the Landmaster quintet scoreless as Leimar Navarro converted three free throws and Randy Lopez scored on a tip-in to erect a commanding 72-65 advantage with 49 ticks to play. Ismael Junio added another free throw and a triple at the buzzer for the final tally.
Bonus led the Rapids with 24 points followed by Junio with 22. Mercado topped Landmaster with 13 points while Ronald Bucao chipped in 12.
In the first game, the undefeated Smart-Pampanga Buddies of Coach Allan Gregorio formalized their entry in the championship game via a 101-98 double overtime classic against the winless Trace-Laguna Stallions of Atty. Erwin Genuino and Coach Nomar Isla.
More importantly, the Buddies gained a two-point bonus for the sweep and blew past the Stallions in the overall tour points standings of the conference supported by Smart, Molten, Accel, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). The Buddies also stand a good chance to capture the second automatic Super Leg berth should they bag the leg championship
Al Magpayo and Allan Husted combined for all of the Buddies’ 11 scores in the second overtime to complete their come-from-behind triumph. Stallion Alfie Grijaldo sank a triple at the1:21 mark to close in for the last time, 96-97. Husted, a balikbayan from California, answered with a basket and two free throws before Robert Sanz settled the final tally with a basket and four seconds remaining. The Stallions though had one final chance as the Buddies committed a backing violation that left three ticks on the clock. Sadly for the Stallions, Alex Angeles missed a triple at the buzzer.
Jonathan Aldave forced the second overtime thank to an offensive tip-in with 0.4 of second left, 89-89. Regulation play ended at 80-80 on a Grijaldo field goal with 25 ticks to go.
The Stallions led by as big as 23 points in the first half, 44-21, behind the four triples of RB Mangahas. The Buddies slowly rallied, taking the lead for the first time, 73-72, on a Don Villamin triple with 3:56 left in the fourth period.
Mapgayo led the Buddies with 18 points while Aldave followed with 17. Grijaldo paced the Stallions with 24 followed by Mangahas with 21.
Selected games from the Apayao Leg will be shown next week on Solar Sports from Wednesday to Saturday. Liga Pilipinas Classics also air daily on Viva Prime Channel. For more information, visit www.ligapilipinas.net.
How They Scored:
First Game
PAMPANGA (101) – Magpayo 18, Aldave 17, Thiele 13, Villamin 9, Asoro 8, Husted 7, Saguindel 7, An. Espiritu 6, Sta. Maria 5, Tan 5, Gelig 3, Al. Espiritu 3, Taylor 0.
LAGUNA (98) – Grijaldo 24, Mangahas 21, Estrada 13, Sanz 10, Musni 10, Angeles 7, Villaver 5, Pradas 5, Legaspi 3, Tolentino 0.
Period Scores: 12-30, 31-48, 52-64, 80-80 (reg.), 89-89 (OT), 101-98 (2OT).
Second Game
APAYAO (76) – Bonus 24, Junio 22, Yambao 10, Lopez 7, Navarro 7, Vitug 4, Lustestica 2, Ebuen 1, Cabico 0, Villareal 0.
MANDAUE (65) – Mercado 13, Bucao 12, Cainglet 11, Aquino 8, Gabas 7, Bautista 5, Berame 5, Cenita 4, Latonio 0.
Period Scores: 27-12, 38-35, 54-54, 76-65.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Liga goes to Apayao
OVERALL STANDINGS – (W-L) – Tour Points
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos (16-0) – 60 points
Quezon Red Oilers (9-7) – 35
Misamis Oriental Meteors (10-6) – 33
Forward Taguig (10-6) – 32
Trace-Laguna Stallions (7-5) – 23
Smart Pampanga Buddies (6-6) – 21
Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue (7-5) – 13
MP Warriors of GenSan (3-13) – 8
Zamboanga Uno Latinos (1-15) – 6
EKB-Apayao Rapids (2-6) – 5
Toyota-Bacolod Turbos (1-3) – 3
LUNA, APAYAO – Big-time basketball comes to the Province of Apayao for the very first time with the opening of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Apayao Leg yesterday at the Bienvenido Verzola Jr. Memorial Sports Center.
Host team EKB-Apayao Rapids of Gov. Elias K. Bulut Sr. has left no stone unturned to ensure a successful hosting of the weeklong tilt made possible by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and with the sanction of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
First up for the Rapids are the Smart-Pampanga Buddies in the main game at 6:00 PM. The opener at 4:00 PM pits the Smart-Pampanga Buddies versus the Trace-Laguna Stallions. The four teams play a single round with the two best teams colliding for the leg championship this Saturday.
Being the tenth and final leg of the conference’s tour phase, the games hold great significance for the Stallions, Buddies and Landmaster as they are bunched from Fifth to Seventh Place with 23, 21 and 13 tour points respectively.
The Stallions and Buddies are shooting for nothing less than the leg championship in order to claim the second outright spot in the five-team Super Leg later this month that will determine the next National Champion. For the expansion Landmaster quintet, winning the championship will push them up the standings and may reward them with a twice-to-beat advantage in the Super Leg qualifiers.
The undefeated M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos formalized their claim on the top spot by ruling the Zamboanga City Leg last weekend, finishing with the maximum 60 points. Trailing the Ninos in the standings are the Quezon Red Oilers (35), defending National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors (33) and Forward Taguig (32). The MP Warriors of GenSan are fixed at Eighth Place with eight points.
Expected to play important roles for the Rapids are shooters Ismael Junio and Leimar Navarro and big men Nat Cruz and Lawrence Bonus. The Rapids are on a roll after registering the franchise’s first Liga victories, both at the expense of the eliminated Zamboanga Uno Latinos, 100-77 and 105-84, en route to taking Third Place in the Zamboanga City Leg.
On the part of the Buddies of Coach Allan Gregorio, they will be bannered by veteran guard Nino Gelig, centers Ford Arao and Al Magpayo and shooter Alan Husted, a recent find from San Diego, California.
Selected games from the Apayao Leg will be aired next week on Solar Sports from Wednesday to Saturday. Liga Pilipinas Classics are seen daily over Viva Prime Channel. For more information, visit www.ligapilipinas.net.
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos (16-0) – 60 points
Quezon Red Oilers (9-7) – 35
Misamis Oriental Meteors (10-6) – 33
Forward Taguig (10-6) – 32
Trace-Laguna Stallions (7-5) – 23
Smart Pampanga Buddies (6-6) – 21
Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue (7-5) – 13
MP Warriors of GenSan (3-13) – 8
Zamboanga Uno Latinos (1-15) – 6
EKB-Apayao Rapids (2-6) – 5
Toyota-Bacolod Turbos (1-3) – 3
LUNA, APAYAO – Big-time basketball comes to the Province of Apayao for the very first time with the opening of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Apayao Leg yesterday at the Bienvenido Verzola Jr. Memorial Sports Center.
Host team EKB-Apayao Rapids of Gov. Elias K. Bulut Sr. has left no stone unturned to ensure a successful hosting of the weeklong tilt made possible by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and with the sanction of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
First up for the Rapids are the Smart-Pampanga Buddies in the main game at 6:00 PM. The opener at 4:00 PM pits the Smart-Pampanga Buddies versus the Trace-Laguna Stallions. The four teams play a single round with the two best teams colliding for the leg championship this Saturday.
Being the tenth and final leg of the conference’s tour phase, the games hold great significance for the Stallions, Buddies and Landmaster as they are bunched from Fifth to Seventh Place with 23, 21 and 13 tour points respectively.
The Stallions and Buddies are shooting for nothing less than the leg championship in order to claim the second outright spot in the five-team Super Leg later this month that will determine the next National Champion. For the expansion Landmaster quintet, winning the championship will push them up the standings and may reward them with a twice-to-beat advantage in the Super Leg qualifiers.
The undefeated M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos formalized their claim on the top spot by ruling the Zamboanga City Leg last weekend, finishing with the maximum 60 points. Trailing the Ninos in the standings are the Quezon Red Oilers (35), defending National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors (33) and Forward Taguig (32). The MP Warriors of GenSan are fixed at Eighth Place with eight points.
Expected to play important roles for the Rapids are shooters Ismael Junio and Leimar Navarro and big men Nat Cruz and Lawrence Bonus. The Rapids are on a roll after registering the franchise’s first Liga victories, both at the expense of the eliminated Zamboanga Uno Latinos, 100-77 and 105-84, en route to taking Third Place in the Zamboanga City Leg.
On the part of the Buddies of Coach Allan Gregorio, they will be bannered by veteran guard Nino Gelig, centers Ford Arao and Al Magpayo and shooter Alan Husted, a recent find from San Diego, California.
Selected games from the Apayao Leg will be aired next week on Solar Sports from Wednesday to Saturday. Liga Pilipinas Classics are seen daily over Viva Prime Channel. For more information, visit www.ligapilipinas.net.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
QUEZON NIPS PAMPANGA, SWEEPS GENSAN LEG
Games Wednesday (September 30) – Trace College-Los Banos
4:00 PM Forward Taguig vs. MP Warriors of GenSan
6:00 PM Trace-Laguna Stallions vs. Misamis Oriental Meteors
QUEZON NIPS PAMPANGA, SWEEPS GENSAN LEG
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Quezon Red Oilers pocketed the Smart Liga Pilipinas General Santos City Leg with a come from behind victory over the Smart-Pampanga Buddies, 78-73, at the General Santos City Gymnasium late Saturday evening.
Center Angelus Raymundo hit a boarding triple to shatter a 73-73 tie and push the Red Oilers on top for good, 76-73. The Buddies then failed to score, forcing them to quickly foul Luis Palaganas who calmly sank both charities for the final tally.
Earlier, Buddy Al Magpayo tied the game for the last time with a triple, 73-73, and 30 ticks remaining. Overall, the intense contest saw eight deadlocks and 22 lead changes.
The Buddies of Coach Allan Gregorio, behind the good three-point shooting of Jonathan Aldave and balikbayan Allan Husted, took the first half, 36-30.
Palaganas led the champions with 17 points. The 6’6” Raymundo was later adjudged as the leg’s Most Valuable Player with averages of 13.3 points and 10.0 rebounds. This also marks the first time the franchise of Gov. Raffy Nantes swept a leg.
“We came here because of two reasons – family and passion,” said victorious coach Oliver Bunyi as he secured his first leg crown this conference and third overall since last year. “This is our gift to Gov. Nantes and the people of Quezon.”
Due to their good performance, both finalists shot up the Liga Tour standings with the Red Oilers now occupying Second Place with 23 points while the Buddies grabbed Third Place with 21 points. The undefeated M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos still rule the roost with 45 points. The top two teams will be given automatic spots in November’s five-team Super Leg that will determine the next National Champion.
In the battle for Third Place, the Zamboanga Uno Latinos pulled off an 87-71 shocker over the host MP Warriors of GenSan. The win marked the Latinos’ first after seven straight losses this conference supported by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Playing the entire tournament with only six men, the Latinos under Coach Ronald Rico leaned on the 35 points and six rebounds of guard Jayson Rebollos.
The Liga Tour makes its seventh stop this Wednesday at the Stallions’ Gym of Trace College in Los Banos, Laguna as the Trace-Laguna Stallions welcome the Warriors, Forward Taguig and the defending National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors.
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