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)

Trip Ko Phoenix Fuels Basketball Cup opens

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Davao City commissioner Atty.Marvin "Oying" Melodias (left) turns over the rule book and ball to Phoenix Petroleum corporate manager Beethoven Sur and AVP for fuel sales-Mindanao Edgar Alera.

The first Trip Ko Phoenix Fuels Basketball Cup, 16-under Basketball Tournament by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines opened to great cheer and excitement last July 2, 2011, Saturday at the Davao City Recreation Center (formerly Almendras Gym).

The best 90 players from all over Davao composed the six teams of the event, Accelerate Supreme, Accelerate Vega, Cyclomax 4T Force, Cyclomax Titan, Zoelo Diesel and Zoelo Extreme.

Accelerate Supreme and Cyclomax 4T Force faced each other in the 1^st game, with scores of 106 and 63 respectively. Cyclomax Titan won the 2^nd game with a score of 102 against Zoelo Extreme with 80. Zoelo Diesel came ahead with just 4 points against Accelerate Vega which scored 96.

The Phoenix Basketball Cup is held in partnership with the city government of Davao and will be played over nine Sundays from 8am to 1 pm. It will culminate during the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival. It is sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Region 11.(pr)

MisOr eliminates Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue, 80-74

TEAM STANDINGS

Misamis Oriental Meteors 3-0

M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos 2-1

Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue 1-2

MP Warriors of GenSan 0-3

     CAGAYAN DE Oro City – The Misamis Oriental Meteors took the easy path to the final game of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V Misamis Oriental Leg by eliminating Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue, 80-74, Friday evening at the Xavier University Gymnasium.

     Needing a win to avoid the complications of a three-way tie, the Meteors banked on an 8-0 run powered by Neil Raneses that shattered a 70-70 deadlock and erect a 78-70 advantage with 1:25 to play.  The Meteors thus swept all their three preliminary games while denying Mandaue of Joe Soberano and Rick King and Coach Jun Tan a shot at their fourth weekly championship of the conference supported by San Miguel, Molten, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel.

     Mandaue actually controlled the game for the first three periods and seemed on course for their goal of winning by nine or more markers in order to make the finals via a superior FIBA quotient.  The Meteors will meet the defending National Champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos in Saturday’s finals.  M. Lhuillier has won the last three Misamis Oriental Legs while the Meteors have yet to win their own at home.

     Trailing by a point after three periods, 55-56, JR Gerilla conspired with Ardy Larong and Rudy Lingganay at the start of the fourth period for a 70-64 Meteors lead at the 4:29 mark.  Mandaue’s Marlon Basco tied the game for the last time with back-to-back triples, 70-70.

     Gerilla led the Meteors with 15 points and six rebounds followed by Egay Billones with 13 points, four assists and three steals.  Axel Doruelo paced Mandaue with 17 points while Basco and Mark Magsumbol added 13 markers each.

     In the first game, M. Lhuillier overwhelmed the MP Warriors of GenSan to secure the first finals slot, 97-66, in a meeting of two teams coming off overtime losses the other day.

     Two players benched by Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba in their previous game set the tone early as Stephen Padilla knocked down four triples and Nat Cruz added six more points to give M. Lhuillier of Michel J. Lhuillier a commanding 31-14 lead after one period.  The Warriors of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin Bonleon never recovered.

     Mark Jeffries opened the final canto with a dunk to ignite a 10-2 run starring Mark Abadia that gave M. Lhuillier its biggest lead, 88-46.  The MP Warriors countered with an 18-2 blast of their own to reduce the deficit, 64-90, but M. Lhuillier was unrelenting with Jeffries capping the blowout with another dunk for the final tally.

     Ian Saladaga presided over the rout with 13 points followed by Padilla and Ogie Menor with 12 each as a total of six M. Lhuillier players had 11 points or more.  Louie Medalla topped the MP Warriors with 14 followed by Jenkins Bucao and Jovanie Alih with 11, mostly during their fourth period surge.

How They Scored:

First Game

     M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (97) – Saladaga 13, Padilla 12, Menor 12, Abadia 11, Cruz 11, Jeffries 11, Belano 9, Raymundo 8, Ababon 4, Santos 4, Hayes 2, Baguion 0, Maliksi 0, Mepana 0.

     GENERAL SANTOS (66) – Medalla 14, Parreno 11, Bucao 11, Alih 10, Musni 8, Alfad 8, Locsin 2, Timon 2, Cordero 0, Concepcion 0, Angeles 0, Mendoza 0.

     Period Scores: 31-14, 56-29, 78-44, 97-66.

Second Game

     MISAMIS ORIENTAL (80) – Gerilla 15, Billones 13, Daa 10, Larong 10, Raneses 8, Lingganay 7, Bono 7, Misa 4, Moreno 4, Gudez 2, Capati 0, Lamocha 0.

     MANDAUE (74) – Doruelo 17, Marlon Basco 13, Magsumbol 13, Capus 12, Guiyab 6, Sta. Cruz 4, Losentes 4, Dedicatoria 3, Mondragon 2, Villaver 0.

     Period Scores: 21-16, 36-37, 55-56, 80-74.(pr)

OTs mark MisOr leg

TEAM STANDINGS

Misamis Oriental Meteors 2-0

M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos 1-1

Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue 1-1

MP Warriors of GenSan 0-2

     CAGAYAN DE Oro City – Overtimes marked the second day of the Misamis Oriental Leg of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V Thursday at the packed Xavier University Gymnasium.  The host Misamis Oriental Meteors needed overtime to subdue the defending National Champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos, 81-74.  Not to be outdone, the Cebu Landmasters RDAK-Mandaue went through two extensions before prevailing over the MP Warriors of GenSan in the opening game, 86-80.

     Dino Daa then starred in the overtime by hitting the Meteors’ first five points, including the go-ahead triple with 2:29 remaing, 75-72.  M. Lhuillier suddenly went cold as Ken Bono shot four free throws for a 79-72 edge at the 46-second mark.  Ardy Larong then sealed the win with a basket and 19 ticks to play, 81-72.

     Neil Raneses forced the overtime via a tip-in of a Rudy Lingganay miss with 14 seconds left in regulation, 70-70.  In the ensuing play, M. Lhuillier threw away the ball but recovered with a solid defensive stand that stopped a driving Egay Billones at the buzzer.

     The Meteors were on top by six with three minutes to go, 68-62, and then saw their lead evaporate on a furious rally by M. Lhuillier.  Mark Ababon drained a triple and Ogie Menor added a free throw to put the Ninos ahead with 40 ticks left, 70-68.

     Raneses led the Meteors with 17 points while Lingganay had a good all-around performance of 15 points, eight rebounds, six assists and six steals.  Allein Maliksi topped M. Lhuillier with points followed by Ababon with a 12.

     With the win, the Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel improved to 2-0 and placed a foot in Saturday’s finale made possible by San Miguel, Molten, Summit Natural Drinking Water and Accel.  M. Lhuillier of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba leveled their card at 1-1.

     Meanwhile, Liga pacesetter Mandaue turned to two-time weekly Most Valuable Player Mark Magsumbol in the two extra periods as he scattered 15 of his 22 total markers despite a hurting lower back.  Jam Alfad tied the game for the last time at 76-76 on two free throws after which Magsumbol scored Mandaue’s next seven markers for an 83-77 advantage with 29 ticks left.  Ariel Capus then insured the victory with three free throws.

     Warrior Louie Medalla played the hero’s role to the hilt as he bailed out his team twice – first with a triple with a second left in regulation and then another triple with 37 seconds to play in the first overtime that both equalized the count at 61-61 and 70-70 respectively.  The Warriors actually had a chance to grab the game in regulation but Jonathan Parreno missed three throws off a Magsumbol foul at the 14-second mark and Mandaue ahead, 60-58.  Harold Sta. Cruz then gave the Warriors another chance by making only one free throw off Alain Musni’s foul with 11 seconds to go, 61-58.

     Capus supported Magsumbol with 17 points while Sta. Cruz had 12 points and 18 rebounds.  Alfad paced the Warriors with 18 points and 10 rebounds while Medalla finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.  Musni also had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

     Mandaue of Joe Soberano and Rick King and Coach Jun Tan improved to 1-1 and could sneak into Saturday’s finals with a convincing win over the Meteors Friday.  The still winless Warriors of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin Bonleon can also still make the finals if they beat M. Lhuillier and hope for a big Mandaue loss for a triple tie.

How They Scored:

First Game

     MANDAUE (86) – Magsumbol 22, Capus 17, Sta. Cruz 12, Dedicatoria 12, Doruelo 8, Mondragon 4, Marlon Basco 4, Losentes 4, Villaver 3, Guiyab 0.

     GENERAL SANTOS (80) – Alfad 18, Medalla 16, Musni 14, Angeles 10, Mendoza 9, Parreno 6, Bucao 2, Concepcion 2, Timon 2, Locsin 1, Sagad 0, Callo 0, Cordero 0.

     Period Scores: 19-13, 29-23, 47-47, 61-61 (reg.), 70-70 (OT), 86-80 (2OT).

Second Game

     MISAMIS ORIENTAL (81) – Raneses 17, Lingganay 15, Billones 11, Daa 7, Larong 7, Gerilla 6, Bono 6, Misa 5, Lamocha 5, Gudez 2, Capati 0, Moreno 0, Lucernas 0.

     M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (74) – Maliksi 19, Ababon 12, Jeffries 9, Mepana 7, Hayes 6, Menor 6, Raymundo 4, Belano 4, Baguion 3, Saladaga 2, Santos 2.

     Period Scores: 19-18, 38-37, 56-52, 70-70 (reg.), 81-74 (OT).PR

Hinson rallies Llamados to victory in Dubai

DUBAI -- Darnel Hinson picked up his game when B-Meg needed someone to
provide a spark, rallying the Llamados to a 111-105 victory against
Talk N Text after a poor start on Thursday in the PBA Governors’ Cup
at the Al Shabab Sports Club here.

Hinson struggled on 9 of 25 shooting in his debut with B-Meg but his
successive 3s in the third quarter opened the floodgates for 21 -1
onslaught that turned the tide for the Llamados, who trailed TNT by 11
in the first half as they struggled to get their rhythm.

“We played bad particularly in the first quarter partly because we
couldn’t run our play the way we're supposed to and the guys sort of
lost their poise. But the good thing is, we picked our game when we
have to,” offered B-Meg coach Jorge Gallent, who was impressed with
his new import.

“He played well. I’m sure Darnell will still get better once he has
settled down with the team. His exactly the right fit for us,” Gallent
declared.

Hinson eventually finished with 26 points and had 12 rebounds to lead
two other Llamados with double-double performances.

The win was the second straight for the Llamados, who improved to 3-2
(win-loss) record.

James Yap led all scorers with 32 points on 12 of 21 shooting. Mark
Pingris scored 17 points and had 12 rebounds while Joe Devance
accounted for 16 points and 17 rebounds as B-Meg crushed TNT off the
boards, 68-52.

Jason Castro scored 24 points for TNT. Ranidel de Ocampo, Harvey Carey
and Maurice Baker each scored 20 points but all of them disappeared in
the second half when the Llamados made a run.

The Tropang Texters lost their momentum in the second half largely
because they lost their defensive instinct and allowed themselves to
be pushed around in the lane.

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak by the grand slam seeking
TNT, who will attempt to bounce back from that jolting defeat against
Barangay Ginebra on Friday. The game is set at 6 p.m. (10 p.m. Manila
time) also at the Al Shabab Sports Club.

TNT managed to pull within 89-91 on a 3-pointer by Baker with 7:30 to
play. But B-Meg quickly responded with a 12-3 spurt with Devance and
James Yap ending the run with successive 3-pointers.

The Tropang Texters never threatened again after that.


TNT took the first half, 56-53, because B-Meg committed 15 turnovers –
mostly on errant passes – that netted the Tropang Texter 15 points in
that span. The Llamados finished 25 errors, 10 more than TNT.


The scores:

B-Meg 111—J. Yap 32, Hinson 26; Pingris 17, Devance 16, Simon 9,
Allado 4, R. Yap 3, Reavis 2, Villanueva 2, Gaco 0, Fernandez 0.

Talk N’ Text 105 – Castro 24, Baker 20, De Ocampo 20, Carey 20,
Williams 10, Alvarez 4, Fonacier 3, Alapag 2, Aban 2, Peek 0, Lao 0,
Oreta 0.

Quarters: 21-29; 53-56; 82-74; 111-105.(pr)

Player of the Week: Larry Fonacier

ONCE in a while, a player comes up with a career game. And when that comes at a
time when his team needs it the most, the feat becomes extra special.
Such was the case with Larry Fonacier, who re-set some personal milestones while
helping Talk N Text draw closer to an immediate goal in the PBA Governors Cup.
The reserve guard earned the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors for
the period June 20 to 26 when he made a career-high 27 points in powering the
Tropang Texters to an 89-85 squeaker over Powerade last Saturday at the Davao
del Sur Cultural, Sports and Business Center.
The performance, anchored on a remarkable 8-of-11 three-point shooting, enabled
Talk N Text to overcome an error-filled night, preserve its unblemished start in
the season-ending tourney and help boost its confidence in its chase for a
season-sweep.

“”He bailed us out,” said Texters coach Chot Reyes of the 2005-06 Rookie of the
Year who came into the game averaging 8.0 ppg but on that particular night
finished with a 9-of-13 field shooting laced with four rebounds and two assists.

“We had 25 turnovers and Powerade did a good job of taking away our
penetration,” Reyes added. “Larry’s outside shooting was our counter.”
It was the most number of treys the league has seen since Ronjay Buenafe, then
with Air21, had the same output in the season-opening Philippine Cup.
This one becomes more memorable since Fonacier’s final triple shattered the
game’s last deadlock at 85 in the last 18 seconds and pointed Talk N Text to its
third win.
That performance made the scribes give the former Ateneo stalwart the nod over
Alaska’s Sonny Thoss, who posted two-game averages of 17.5 points, 10.5
rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 blocks in the Aces’ wins over B-MEG and Air21.PR

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