Niños, Meteors stay unbeaten

CEBU, Philippines - The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños and defending champion Misamis Oriental Meteors appeared to be on collision course for another titular showdown as they kept their undefeated records intact in the Liga Pilipinas Conference 3 “Super Leg” last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Niños coasted to their second straight victory with a 97-72 annihilation of the Trace-Laguna Stallions, 97-72, while the Meteors drained the Quezon Red Oilers, 91-76, to post the best 3-0 record, so far, in the week-long tournament sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Cebu and MisOr, thus, set up the stage of a battle royale between the two powerhouse squads. Scheduled at 5 pm today, their face-off is very crucial as it will determine the top qualifier that will earn outright final berth.

The Niños of team owner Michel J. Lhuillier and multi-titled coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba had a tentative start resulting into an early 18-23 deficit, but quickly found their offensive bearing in the second quarter where they outgunned the Stallions, 25-15, to grab the upperhand at halftime, 43-28.

The rest of story was a ferocious demolition job by the Niños, who opened the third period with a blistering 17-4 rally to mount a 16-point advantage, 60-44.

The Stallions answered with an 11-2 run to pull within seven, 55-62, but that proved to be their last hold of breath as the Niños dropped a devastating 17-0 bomb to rip the game apart, 79-55, with barely two minutes gone by in the final quarter.

M. Lhuillier’s biggest advantage though stood at 29 points, 89-60, with still 5:45 left to play.

Five Niños dished out twin figures led by Marlon Basco with 23 points. Ian Saladaga banged in 14 points, Bruce Dacia and Stephen Padilla scored 11 apiece and Ariel Mepaña donated 10 markers.

Niños coach Yayoy Alcoseba said they’re gunning for 21 straight wins to become the only team to have ever swept this three-year-old league.

“It wouldn’t matter if we win 18 straight and not win the title. Our goal is to win the title and if we can win it by winning 21 straight, that would be better,” said Alcoseba, a councilor here who helped host the Super Leg.

Ron Capati scattered 20 points for the Stallions, who joined the Smart-Pampanga Buddies down the cellar two two defeats in as many starts.

The scores

M. Lhuillier (97) - Basco 23, Saladaga 14, Padilla 11, Dacia 11, Mepaña 10, Nailon 9, Magsumbol 8, Ababon 7, Santos 2, Poligrates 2

Laguna (72) – Capati 20, Estrada 12, Lusentes 12, Sanz 11, Mangahas 9, Villaver 3, Grijaldo 2, Angeles 2, Musni 1

Quarterscores:18-23, 43-38, 71-55, 97-72   (FREEMAN NEWS)