CEBU, Philippines - The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños and the reigning national champion MisOr Meteors smothered separate rivals in contrasting fashion at the start of the Cebu pre-season games of the Smart-Liga Pilipinas last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
Games today
(Cebu Coliseum)
5:00 pm MisOr vs. Laguna
7:00 pm M. Lhuillier vs. Cebu Landmasters
The Niños of team owner Michel J. Lhuillier and decorated coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba galloped past the visiting Trace-Laguna Stallions, 81-70, while the Meteors of Governor Oscar Moreno and coach Jun Noel pummeled the Mandaue-Cebu Landmasters, 83-64.
The Niños trailed for most of the way, but handcuffed the Stallions to only six points in the final five minutes of the contest while scoring 19 in that stretch to turn the tables on the Laguna visitors.
Woodrow Enriquez and Abby Santos connived for 33 points, Marlon Basco had 12 and Stephen Padilla added 10 for the Niños, who shoot for their second straight win when they face the Landmasters.
Earlier, Melvin Mamaclay scattered 14 points and John Patrick Cabahug tossed in 12 markers for the Meteors, who was never threatened after racing to an 18-11 start.
They closed the third period with a 16-point edge, 62-46.
The Landmasters of team owner Joe Soberano and coach Jun Tan pulled within eight points, 54-62, but that proved to be their last hurrah as the Meteors quickly restored an imposing 74-55 bulge.
MisOr’s biggest lead though stood at 23 points, 83-60, on Cabahug’s trey with 1:35 left to play.
The scores
First game
MisOr (83) - Mamaclay 14, Cabahug 12, Daja 9, Butel 9, Moreno 8, Gudez 8, Raneses 7, Kong 6, Pupos 4, Sanchez 3, Muñoz 3, Numeran 2
Cebu Landmasters (64) - Tangkay 13, Lusdoc 10, Latonio 7, Ponce 6, Luga 5, Justiniani 4, Abadia 4, Aying 4, Gabas 3, Ursal 2, Llanto 2, Hatague 2
Second game
M. Lhuillier (81) - Enriquez 17, Santos 16, Basco 12, Padilla 10, Saladaga 9, Dacia 9, Mepana 6, Ababon 2
Laguna (70) - Sanz 19, Misa 11, Ricafuente 10, Grijaldo 8, Angeles 6, Capati 6, Legaspi 5, Musni 4, Gaco 2 (BANAT NEWS)