ACES, SCSIT triumph in MLSDF U-21 hoop

The Athletes for Christ in Excellent Service (ACES) and the Salazar College of Science and Institute of Technology (SCSIT) completed the list of opening day winners in the M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF)-organized 5th M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cup Under-21 basketball tournament last Sunday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The ACES went strong in the windup to humble the MLSDF Dream Team, 82-72, while the SCSIT Baby Skyblazers banked on a fierce second quarter explosion to blow away Consolacion Sarok, 103-84.

The ACES stalwarts and MLSDF Dream Team figured in a hill-to-hill battle most of the way to the delight of a small throng of spectators.

However, the MLSDF stars literally turned into stone after grabbing the lead for the last time, 71-69, with less than four minutes left to play.

After that, the MLSDF cagers threw bricks and committed crucial errors, enabling the ACES to secure the win using a decisive 13-0 rally in the final three-minute mark of the contest.

MLSDF hopes to make up from that setback, but the youthful wards of coach Anginc Anciado have a mountain to climb as they face next the heavily-favored Hoop It Up this Sunday at the Consolacion Sports Complex.

Earlier, SCSIT trailed by two at the end of the first quarter, 18-20, but spewed fire in the second period where they launched a furious 35-21 counter-attack to take a 12-point edge, 53-41, at the intermission.

The scores

First game

SCSIT (103) - Soriano 31, Jabadan 20, Villaver 14, Tampus 10, Dedios 9, Tajanlangit 6, Loon 6, Deniega 4, Baculi 3

Consolacion Sark (84) - Dahil 20, Valle 13, Somosot 12, Maraño 9, Pilapil 8,Burlaos 6, Quiapo 6, Villamor 6, Iballe 2, Gungob 2

Second game

ACES (82) - Villanil 22, Quiñana 18, Cantonao 16, Filoteo 8, Sardiña 6, Delantar 4, Ty 4, Ngoho 4

MLSDF Dream Team (72) - Cortez 18, A. Cabahug 15, Datan 9, E. Cabahug 8, Jacobe 6, Tecson 6, Ybañez 4, Bosque 3, Belocura 2, Dinsay 1