Toledo downs Mustangs: M. Lhuillier, Mantawi in grudge rematch in MVBA today at Cebu Coliseum

The Cebu Landmaster-Toledo City mounted a stifling defense late in the fourth period to escape with an 84-75 win over the visiting West Negros College-Talisay City Mustangs in the ML Kwarta Padala Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) First Conference on Sunday night at the Marcelo A. Barba Sports Complex in Toledo City.

Four players scored in double figures led by Leo Bat-og's 17 points as the Toledo Landmasters of realtor Jose Soberano and coach Jun Tan bettered their win-loss mark to 4-1 in the league backed by ML Kwarta Padala, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Molten, Panasonic, Nature's Spring Drinking Water, and Sulpicio Lines.

The WNC Mustangs went off to a sizzling start and took a 31-28 advantage off an 11-2 run midway in the second period, but the Landmasters whipped up a furious fightback to erase the deficit and rip the game apart with a 15-point edge, 73-58, late in the third canto.

The WNC Mustangs kept within striking distance in the closing minutes of the game, but the Toledo Landmasters rode on a solid endgame finish to seal the doom of the reigning National Students champion.

Bat-og was backed up by Ronald Paraiso with 14 points followed by Carlos Sayon and Alex Cainglet with 12 and 11 markers, respectively.

The Landmasters were the third Cebu team to beat WNC as the Mustangs went 0-3 in their Cebu sojourn.

After registering a league record for the most points scored in a single game with 33 in a losing effort against Mantawi Traders and M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City Jewelers, Ely Olarte, perhaps grounded by fatigue factor, was held off to only 18 points.

Jevan Espiritu chipped in 16 points, while Benjie Vergara and Stanley Tizon combined for 22 points for the Mustangs (0-3), who are languishing at the cellar with Toyota-Iloilo Warriors (0-4).

Meanwhile, exciting hardcourt action erupts today at the Cebu Coliseum as the unbeaten Visayas Division leader M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City Jewelers of coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba clash with the Mantawi Traders of coach Eddie Ybañez in an expected grudge rematch starting off at 5:30 pm.

The Jewelers shoot for their sixth straight win in as many games, but they must brace for one big war as the Mantawi Traders are itching to avenge their 90-93 overtime loss to M. Lhuillier during their first encounter last March 31 at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

Expected to be at the cornerstone of M. Lhuillier's offense are Jayford Rodiguez, Woodrow Enriquez, Michael Manigo, Stephen Padilla, Danny Aying and Enrico Llanto.

They will contend against Mantawi's twin towers of 6-foot-7 Rino Berame and 6-foot-5 Norman Randy Sevilla and dreaded long-range bombers in Doroteo Almacin, Miguelito Ducay, and Joseph Guangco.