BUTUAN CITY -- The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City Jewelers reasserted its supremacy over the MP Warriors-GenSan, 83-65, in action at the ML Kwarta Padala Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Second Conference Thursday at the Father Saturnino Urios University Gym.
The rematch between the two First Conference finalists was totally dominated by the Jewelers of Michel Lhuillier and Coach Raul Alcoseba, who swept the Warriors of Manny Pacquiao and Coach Ramon Pido in their best-of-three duel last June.
From an 8-8 deadlock, Stephen Padilla sank the first of his six triples to signal the Jewelers' breakaway and erect a 22-14 advantage after one period.
Padilla, Mike Manigo, Jayford Rodriguez and Woodrow Enriquez would then take turns at pounding the Warriors, maintaining a double-digit lead for their seventh win in eight games for the best record in the league backed by ML Kwarta Padala, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Nature's Spring Drinking Water, Reva Sandals, Gameface.Ph and Nike Basketball.
The Warriors finished the classification round with a 5-5 card, good for the second seed in the Mindanao Division playoffs next week.
The MVBA games in Butuan were made possible by BAP-Caraga through Pancho Camingue and Boy Tiu with Councilor Raul O. Amoc representing Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II as guest of honor.
In his pre-game speech, Councilor Maco expressed hope for Butuan to field an MVBA team next year.
Padilla finished with a total of 22 points, followed by Manigo with 15, Rodriguez with 13 and Enriquez with 12.
Rolly Menor had 12 while Donald Tadena added 11 as the only Warriors in twin digits.
M. Lhuillier will play the Lanao Royals of Governor Imelda Q. Dimaporo today (December 2) at the Mindanao Civic Center to close out the classification round schedule, seeking a win to formalize their status as the top team of the league.
However the 2-7 Royals are a dangerous opponent, having toppled Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr of MVBA Chairman Governor Oscar S. Moreno, 65-62, the last time they faced a division leader.
The Iligan Archangels of Mayor Lawrence Cruz and Coach Ed Arugay were still playing M. Lhuillier at press time last night at the MSU-IIT Gym.
