Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Misamis Oriental cagers in hot start
EXCITING contests marked the start of the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Cebu City Charter Cup Monday evening at the New Cebu City Coliseum.
This also marks the first major tournament sanctioned by the newly formed Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP).
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Back-to-back MVBA champion and host M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City of SBP trustees Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul "Yayoy" D. Alcoseba survived the tough challenge of Philippine Basketball League (PBL) contender Henkel-Sista Super Sealers of Coach Carlos Garcia, 74-68.
In the nightcap, reigning MVBA Mindanao Champion Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr of league chairman Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Rex Salvaña clipped Heartvit-Tribu Guardo of Cebu businessman Jonathan Guardo and Coach Al Solis, 92-89.
Under the tournament's unique double-elimination format, Monday's losers fall to the losers' bracket wherein they have to win their remaining games in the hope of capturing the championship in the five-day tournament in honor of the 70th year of Cebu as a chartered city and ably supported by ML Kwarta Padala, Nature's Spring Drinking Water, Sulpicio Lines, Ocean Jet, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Accel, Reva Sandals, Gameface.Ph and Nike Basketball. A second loss kisses their title dreams goodbye. The fifth entry, Cindy's-Tacloban, drew an opening day bye.
The Sealers were on top for the last time, 42-41, early in the third period when M. Lhuillier went on a 10-0 run powered by Jett Latonio, Stephen Padilla and Woodrow Enriquez to take the lead for good, 51-42.
Coach Alcoseba then fielded Aldrin Ocanada for the first time midway through the fourth quarter and the veteran gunner quickly unloaded 12 points to keep the Sealers in check and claim game MVP honors.
Padilla led M. Lhuillier with 17 points via four triples. Gilbert Malabanan paced Sista with 15 markers followed by Khiel Misa and Samigue Eman with 11 each.
Heartvit was poised to pull away when they unloaded a 12-0 bomb for an 89-82 lead entering the final two minutes.
MisOr gamely clawed back with a run of their own. Lowell Briones sank a running three-point shot with 30 seconds left to push MisOr on top for good, 90-89.
In the ensuing play, Anton Viloria stole the ball forcing Heartvit's Ronald Bucao to foul him to stop the time.
Heartvit's next foul by Alex Cainglet sent Julius Navales to the foul line and the newbie guard responded by sinking both shots for the final tally a pair of seconds on the clock.
Ramil Tagupa garnered game MVP honors with 21 points and four assists. Briones finished with 12 points. Doroteo Almacin exploded for 23 points while JR Quinahan added 17 in the losing effort.
How they scored
M. Lhuillier-Cebu 74 -- Padilla 17, Ocanada 12, Enriquez 11, Piodo 10, Latonio 7, Mepana 6, Caputolan 4, Manigo 3, Llanto 3, Abadia 1, Mercader 0, Ramirez 0.
Henkel-Sista 68 -- Malabanan 15, Misa 11, Eman 11, Saldua 6, Bonus 6, Latoreno 6, Urbiztondo 5, Pinera 4, Alfad 2, Bauzon 2, Labagala 0, Capus 0.
Period scores: 17-15, 35-35, 56-50, 74-68.
Holcim Pryce-Misor 92 -- Tagupa 21, Briones 12, Navales 11, Nailon 10, Sevilla 9, Viloria 9, Jawod 8, Sanchez 6, Ababon 6, Apepe 0, Numeran 0, Jabagat 0.
Heartvit-Tribu Guardo 89 -- Almacin 23, Quinahan 17, Luga 12, Juntilla 12, Berame 5, Bucao 4, Gadiane 4, Garcia 4, Cainglet 3, Akad 3, Mercado 2, Diputado 0.
Period scores: 27-27, 50-48, 69-71, 92-89.
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod. (February 21, 2007 issue)
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