MisOr stuns Iligan in MVBA

Pryce Pharma-MisOr pulled off a big upset by toppling erstwhile undefeated solo leader Iligan City, 94-80, in the ML Kwarta Padala Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) First Conference on Wednesday at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro City.

Ahead by one sole point after the first period, 23-22, Pryce Pharma caught Iligan napping and launched a balanced attack in the second period to seize control of the game for good.

The team of MVBA Chairman Gov. Oscar Moreno and coach Rex Salvana never looked back and was never threatened, posting their biggest lead of the game late in the third period, 68-54, behind their one-two scoring punch of Dondon Mendoza and Jesson Alfeche, who combined for 14 points.

Iligan refused to give up and tried to close the gap but three timely baskets by center Marvin Mercado and five key free throws down the stretch by guard Ramil Tagupa ensured Pryce Pharma's third win in seven games in the tournament backed by ML Kwarta Padala, Nature's Spring Drinking Water, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Panasonic, Molten and Sulpicio Lines.

Iligan saw its winning run end at four games, absorbing its first loss but still remained on top of the Mindanao Division.

Alfeche led Pryce Pharma with 18 points followed by Mercado with 16. Three other Pryce Pharma players submitted twin digits in Mendoza with 13, Jessie Lumantas with 11 and Tagupa with 10.

Erickson Araman paced Iligan with 17 while Alex Bognot added 16 and Aries Gloria 13.

Today, the MVBA takes its games to Maramag, Bukidnon as Cagayan de Oro tests the mettle of Maramag's adopted team Montana Pawnshop-Davao. Tomorrow, it will be the turn of Iligan to try and bounce back against Montana, still at Maramag.

The Maramag games are supported by the municipal government of Maramag headed by Mayor Jose Obedencio.

Cagayan de Oro's main goal is to post its first win and keep its flickering semifinal hopes alive. Expected to carry the cudgels for the CDO Rapids are Jong Rebuya (15.8 ppg), Gabriel Maloloy-on (12.8 ppg), Abe Galinato (10.8 ppg) and Mark Benitez (10.3 ppg).