Meteors disconnect Buddies

CEBU, Philippines - The Misamis Oriental Meteors of Governor Oscar Moreno and coach Jun Noel extended their unbeaten streak to nine games with a dominating 83-72 victory over the Smart-Pampanga Buddies to begin their title campaign in the Cebu City leg of the 2009 Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference II on a bright note last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today (Cebu Coliseum)

4 pm Smart-Pampanga Buddies vs. Harbour Centre-Taguig Batang Global

6 pm M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños vs. Misamis Oriental Meteors

Dexter Micutuan, the former STI standout bagged last year’s MVP award in the NAASCU league, and Mark Yee fired 17 points apiece for the rampaging Meteors, who took full command of the match after getting off to a hot start.

The Meteors frittered away after leading by as much as 20 points, 54-34, with 5:45 left in the third period, but the Buddies of coach Allan Gregorio did not have enough time to complete what could have been the biggest comeback in the history of the fledgling league. The closest the Buddies could come was at 70-78 on Don Camaso’s triple with 41 seconds left to play.

Yee, Mark Moreño and Ramil Tagupa then went 4-of-6 from the foul line to seal the Meteors’ triumph. Joey Mente added 14 points for the Meteors followed by Mel Latoreno with 10. Camaso topscored for the Buddies with 16 points, while Khiel Misa, Terrel Theopile and Allan Avangelista connived for 33 points in a losing cause.

Meanwhile, two very important games that will decide the future of the four teams involved will mark today’s resumption of the four-day contest.

Defending National Champion and host M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños of Michel Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba continue their quest to rise up in the Liga Tour Points standings by tackling the Meteors in the main game at 6 pm.

Expected to star for the Niños are reigning Liga MVP Marlon Basco, Bruce Dacia, Stephen Padilla, Woodraw Enriquez, Mark Ababon and the vastly improved Ariel Mepana. The Niños currently occupy sixth place with 19 points.

Last conference, the Niños defeated the Meteors twice during the Pagadian City Leg, 84-72 and 86-70. However, the Meteors are on a roll this conference by sweeping the Zamboanga City and Laguna Legs for 30 points and second place in the Liga Tour Standings behind the idle Trace-Laguna Stallions with 44 points.

In the curtain-raiser at 4 pm, the Smart-Pampanga Buddies and the Batang Global fight for survival as they try to grab the last two final slots for the National Playoffs later this month. The Buddies stopped the Batang Global in double overtime, 95-90, last January 22 during the Pampanga Leg. - THE FREEMAN