Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Jewelers bury Royals, 97-77
AFTER suffering an 80-85 setback against the host team, the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City Jewelers got back its bearings after handing the listless Lanao Royals a 97-77 drubbing in the Gov. Oscar Moreno Cup last Sunday at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro City.
On the other hand, leader Holcim Pryc Pharma-MisOr continued its slaying ways, this time pulling an 81-72 win over guest team Pagadian Explorers in the event that also serves as the pre-season tournament of the MVBA.
MisOr finished the elimination round unscathed with a perfect 3-0 card, while the Jewelers ended up at the second place with 2-1 card.
The Jewelers were still playing No.3 finisher Pagadian Explorers at press time last night, while MisOr faced the Royals in a knockout game that would determine who will play for the P100,000 top prize.
The Jewelers, playing only with eight men after team skipper Danny Aying injured his neck, proved too classy for the Royals as their run-and-gun attack gave them a 34-point margin, 81-47, entering the final quarter.
In desperation, Lano launched an end-game attack with Kent Senining leading the day. But it was not enough as the Jewelers just allowed them to cut the final margin down to 20 points despite scoring only 16 points in the period.
Arleigh Troy Mercader lead the Jewelers with 21 points, while Stephen Padilla scored all his 18 points from the three point area. Senining topped the losing squad with 22.
MisOr took control of the game most of the way until Pagadian made the final push to make it 66-67 with 6:51 left to play.
But it was not enough as MisOr held the guest squad without a field goal in the next four minutes to erect a 77-72 lead with two minutes left.
Tough defense
Both teams played tough defense the rest of the way until Lowell Briones scored four straight free throws for MisOr in the final 15 seconds for the final tally.
Mark Ababon led MisOr with 23 points in the absence of MisOr regulars Gilbert Demape and Anton Viloria, while Briones added 17. Bong Marata led Pagadian with 17 markers, while Melvin Mamaclay and Nathaniel Cruz contributed 14 and 12 points, respectively.
