M. Lhuillier rules CDO hoop

The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Jewelers whipped up a furious offensive storm in the second half to mangle Montaña Pawnshop of Davao City, 69-56, in their knockout finals and win the title of the Fiesta Invitational Basketball Championships the other night at the Xavier University Gymnasium in Cagayan de Oro City.

"Montaña Pawnshop is a very good and talented team, but obviously they lack experience. That is our advantage over them. Our vast experience and deeper bench spurred us to the championship," said M. Lhuillier head coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba.

With top gunner James Laygo being held off to only nine points, Jercules Tangkay, Aldrin Ocañada and Woodrow Enriquez gamely rose to the occasion, cashing in 14 points each for the Jewelers, who led by as much as 18 points in the final quarter.

But prior that, the Jewelers struggled hard to get rid of the stubborn Montaña Pawnshop, which opened the game with a 19-13 bang.

The Jewelers pulled within 29-31 at halftime, before launching a 18-9 spurt in the third canto to gain a five-point headway, 47-40, entering the final 10-minute mark of the contest.

It was an all-Jewelers show the rest of the way to complete a 4-0 sweep in the five-day cagefest supported by Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente "Dongkoy" Emano.

"I'd like to commend the players for putting up a great team effort from the start until the end of the tournament. If someone fails to deliver, the rest stepped up. This is the very essence of this team," said M. Lhuillier assistant coach Eddie Ybañez.

M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala won its third straight crown in an invitational tournament this year, with the first two being in Sogod, Southern Leyte and in Valencia City, Bukidnon.

The scores

M. Lhuillier (69) - Tangkay 14, Ocañada 14, Enriquez 14, Laygo 9, Marata 8, Sayon 6, Piodo 4.

Montaña Pawnshop (56) - Coronado 17, Atablanco 13, Braga 11, Abales 9, Ayson 3, Jatico 2, Mejorada 1.

Quarterscores:13-19, 29-31, 47-40, 69-56