THE Mandaue-Cebu Landmaster used a second half rally to beat the struggling Trace-Laguna Stallions, 79-70, at the start of the Apayao Leg of the 2009 Smart-Liga Pilipinas Conference 3 at the Bienvenido Verzola Jr. Memorial Sports Center.

Trailing by 12 after the first quarter 24-12, the Landmasters struggled to cut the lead to seven 38-31 going to the half time break.

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The Stallions were not the same after the break as the Landmasters rallied to take the lead 59-58 entering the final period.

After two deadlocks and two lead changes, the Mandaue City-based team pulled away for good behind the explosive efforts of JR Aquino and Alex Cainglet to outscore Laguna 20-12 in the pivotal period.

Aquino and Boyet Bautista, who were responsible for the third quarter spurt of the Landmasters, finished with 18 points each, while Cainglet and Francis Mercado finished with 12 and 11 points.

In the main match, the Smart-Pampanga Buddies started the game hot and never looked back to beat home team EKB-Apayao Rapids, 83-78.