The Ave Maria Sanctuary Park got off to a slow start but went on a scoring rampage starting in the second period to shackle Liloan selection, 88-72, in the resumption of the 6th M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Under-21 Developmental Basketball League at the Consolacion Sports Complex.
The Ave Maria mainstays trailed by a hairline after the first period, 17-18, but immediately found their offensive rhythm in the second canto to grab the lead at halftime, 38-34, for good.
Ave Maria, manned by upcoming players from the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), stayed hot after the short break to pad its lead to 11 points, 63-52, heating into the payoff period.
Ave Maria then closed the match with a 25-20 bang to ice the 16-point romp and send strong statement to their rivals of their serious title campaign in the three-month tilt organized by the M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF) through the efforts of its executive director Eddie B. Ybañez.
Aside from trophies and medals to the outstanding individual achievers, the champion will receive P5,000, while the second and third placers will get P3,000 and P2,000, respectively. But since it is a basketball event for a cause as agreed upon by all the participating teams, the prizes will be donated to charitable institutions of the winners’ choice.
The scores
Ave Maria (88) - Montenegro 29, Abing 12, Trillo 9, Villarin 8, Igonia 7, Morales 7, Senining 6, De la Rama 5, Semblante 5
Liloan (72) - Conahap 22, Pepito 11, Urot 8, Conahap 8, Bareta 8, Bantilan 7, Javier 6, Andoy 1, Ladana 1
Quarterscores:17-18, 38-34, 63-52, 88-72 –EBV