MisOr spoils Arthro’s MVBA Debut

Host Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr gave the debuting expansion team Arthro Kontra Arthritis-Cebu a rough welcome, 86-74, in the second playdate of the 2007 Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) First Conference on Tuesday night at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro City.

Mark Ababon scored 12 points in the final four minutes of the contest to lift the team of league chairman Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Rex Salvana to its first win in two starts in the league backed by ML Kwarta Padala, Nature’s Spring Drinking Water, Accel, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Sulpicio Lines, Ocean Jet, Reva Sandals, Gameface.Ph and Nike Basketball.

MisOr lost to M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu a day earlier, 67-75.

Arthro of businessman-sportsman Jonathan L. Guardo and Coach Al Solis threatened for the last time at the final 3:55 mark, 69-73. Ababon then went ballistic, capping his heroics with a triple that served as the knockout blow, 86-71, with less than a minute to play.

Earlier in the second period, JR "Baby Shaq" Quinahan tied the game for the last time with two free throws, 35-35. From there, Frank Nailon outplayed Quinahan by unloading eight markers for a 49-44 MisOr edge at the half. Arthro played catch-up from there onwards.

Ababon finished with a game-best 27 points followed by Nailon with 18. Ramil Tagupa added 10.

Quinahan and Alex Cainglet paced Arthro with 16 markers each, while Jerome Gadiane followed with 11. Ababon and Cainglet shot it out with five triples each.

The scores

Holcim Pryce-MisOr (86) - Ababon 27, Nailon 18, Tagupa 10, Briones 8, Jabagat 6, Navales 5, Sagad 3, Diango 3, Sev illa 2, Apepe 2, Numeran 2

Arthro-Cebu (74) - Cainglet 16, Quinahan 16, Gadiane 11, Santos 8, Ursal 6, Abelong 5, Garcia 5, Caparros 3, Mercado 2, Redulosa 2

Quarterscores:30-21, 49-44, 65-58, 86-74