Larong carries Mantawi past Harbour Centre

Davaoeño Ardy Larong sizzled for 24 points as he lifted the Hapee/Dewfoam-backed Mantawi Sparkling Nights to a 77-68 conquest of Bacchus-Harbour Centre Manila Thursday in the 2005 Panasonic-NBC national championship at the Mandaue Sports Center.

The win gave the Sparkling Nights an 8-4 win-loss record, one game ahead of fellow Cebu-based team and defending champion Tribu Sugbu at 7-5.

Over in Baguio City, the Forward Taguig banked on the hot-shooting night of Jay Lapinid as they secured the top spot in the northern conference play-offs after nipping the Chia's Fastfood/Viacom Cable-backed Baguio Lions, 81-79.

Mayor Freddie Tinga's Forward Taguig wound up their classification round campaign tied with the Far Eastern Insurance-backed Cavite at 8-5 but grabbed the no.1 seed in the play-offs by virtue of the win-over-other rule.

Taguig beat Cavite, 74-61, early in the tournament supported by Lapinid made four triples en route to his season-high 21 points while versatile forward Leo Vilar added 17 points for Taguig.

Taguig led all throughout and had to weather a big rally by the Lions, backed by the Baguio City government.

Mantawi coach Jun Noel said the win over Bacchus will be useless if they lose to Tribu Sugbu tomorrow in what appears to be a knockout match for positioning into the top two spot. "I hope to finish the elimination with a win over Tribu Sugbu because that is the real combat we look forward to", Noel said.

Larong caught fire early and led Mantawi's offense scoring 24 points along with four triples to become the best player of the ballgame. He had also eight rebounds, two assists and one blockshot in a game-long brilliance.

Aside from Larong, the other top contributors from Mantawi were PBL veteran Dennis Daa who scored 12 points while Maui Huelar and Jayson Alminario had 11 points apiece. Daa, a teammate of Larong with the Toyota-Otis Letran in the PBL as well as in the 9th Crown Prince caging in Thailand, helped in controlling the board by grabbing six rebounds and shot 6 out of 6 free throws.

Mantawi now has a 3-2 record at home in Mandaue winning over Valencia-Bukidnon, Iligan Crusaders and Bacchus but lost to Cavite Insurers and to the Laguna Spring. Their other five wins were on the road.

Bacchus which just came up with a 72-68 win over Tribu Sugbu the night before the game against Hapee, was led by Nani Epondulan with 20 points even as Ronjay Enrile also added 10 points.

Spitfire playmaker Jun Balares exploded for 29 points and nearly single-handedly carried the Lions to a come-from-behind victory.

Despite their ninth loss against only four wins, the Lions were relegated to sixth spot and will hosts the Spring Cooking Oil-backed Laguna Spring 6 pm today in the opening of the northern conference's play-offs. Games two and three (if necessary) will be played at the Spring's homecourt in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

The winner of the series will face second seeded Cavite in the second round in another best-of-three affair.

Over at the south, the Bacchus/Harbour Centre-Manila will wind up their classification round campaign as they visit the CdO Stars 6 pm today at the Corppus Christi Gym while Tribu Sugbu and the Sparkling Nights collides at the Mandaue Sports Center in Cebu.

First Game
Taguig (81) - Lapinid 21, Vilar 17, De Castro 10, Dulay 9, Marucot 8, Robillos 6, Reguerra 6, Aclon 3, Magsambol 1
Baguio (79) - Balares 29, Bona 12, Tiongson 11, Collado 6, Ton 5, Basto 5, Fontanilla 5, Duay 2, Ico 2, Giron 2 Quarters: 24-15, 46-38, 65-61, 81-79.

Second Game
Mantawi (77) - Larong 24, Daa 12, Huelar 11, Alminario 11, Gloria 9, Tundag 3, Carretas 3, Moreño 2, France 2
Bacchus (68) - Epondulan 20, Enrile 10, Sta. Cruz 10, Reroma 6, Cordero 5, Raushmayer 4, Hardin 4, Coyukang 4,