Friday, July 25, 2008 Explorers humble Cebu Niños in Iloilo
THE Pagadian Explorers handed the M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños their worst defeat in the conference following, 91-80, in the opening day of the Iloilo leg of the 2008 Liga Pilipinas Championships at the University of San Agustin Gym in Iloilo City.
Going into the final leg, the Explorers and the Niños occupy the top two spots of the standings with Cebu holding a 37-29 edge in Liga points.
Pagadian, however, proved that its 57-55 win over the Niños last July 2 at home was no fluke despite losing the championship to the Cebuanos four days later, 72-67.
The Niños lost the momentum of their win over the Pampanga Buddies last Sunday as the well-rested Explorers started to make their moves in the final half.
Pagadian trailed 23-26 in the opening quarter and trimmed it to 44-45 at the close of the first half.
Eric Quilo was the surprise package of coach Eric Samson as the local boy stepped up to log his personal and game high of 24 points for the Explorers.
After Pagadian wrested the lead 65-61 after the third period, Quilo and Mark Yee started the final period by scoring five points each on a 10-2 run to put the game away for good.
Cebu tried their best but their shots failed to sink.
Pagadian was shooting 38-of-68 (56 percent) from the field, while Cebu was just 29-of-71 (41 percent).
In the other game, home team Iloilo Mang Inasals won 92-73 over the Quezon Red Oilers.
Over in Tagaytay, Taguig Batang Global defeated Lipa Barakos 82-73 while home team Tagaytay/Cavite Heroes trashed Misamis Oriental 75-57. (RCM)
