Friday, December 22, 2006 Jewelers subdue MisOr in Game 3 of MVBA series, 79-71 By Rommel C. Manlosa Sun.Star Staff Reporter
THE M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City Jewelers snatched its second Mindanao-Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) title, after besting the visiting Holcim Pryce Pharma-Misor in Game 3 of the best-of-three championship series at the Cebu Coliseum, Wednesday night.
The Jewelers’ championship poise and vast experience played a vital role in their 79-71 win against MisOr, especially in the fourth quarter of the MVBA Second Conference penultimate game.
Jett Latonio made sure the title would not go to the Misamis Oriental trophy room as he delivered the goods for the Michel Lhuillier-owned and Yayoy Alcoseba-mentored Jewelers.
“It’s really different without Woodrow (Enriquez), so I gambled on my bench players, that’s why they (MisOr) were able to come back. But luckily, my starters were able to get enough rest, and at the end game they already had the second wind,” said Alcoseba after the game.
The series ended at 2-1 in favor of the Jewelers, who won the first game away but slipped in Game 2 at home.
Comeback
With Latonio making up for his sub-par performance in Game 2, the Jewelers easily dominated the first part of the game, erecting a 48-36 lead at the half and seemed like cruising to a smooth victory.
However, things looked bad for the Jewelers in the third when MisOr suddenly came back to life, dropping a 17-4 run to even the game at 52-all, with Gilbert Demape leading the scoring blitz, after a scoreless first half.
Both squads then traded baskets as the score settled at 59-all entering the final period.
The game was hotly fought for the next five minutes, but after a 65-all deadlock, Latonio again made his moves to lead a finishing 12-0 run to give the Jewelers a 77-65 lead with 2:06 left in the game.
Last ditch effort
Demape and Rocky Sanchez made a last ditch effort for MisOr, as they pulled the team within 69-71 with 1:41 remaining, but failed to sustain the momentum when they succumbed to three straight turnovers.
Latonio capped his stunning performance by scoring two more points from the free throw line, while Mauie Huelar sealed the score with a lay-up at the final 2.4 seconds.
Latonio finished with 23 points to lead all scorers while Stephen Padilla, the Finals MVP added 18 and team skipper Danny Aying finished with 12.
Demape led MisOr with 14 and Bob Cozy Ilanga contributed 11 for Holcim Pryce-MisOr.
