M. Lhuillier slays Alaska: But top pointman Enriquez hospitalized after a bad fall late in the third quarter

CEBU, Philippines - Abby Santos grabbed two crucial offensive rebounds and then knocked in a pair of free throws with five seconds left as the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños gamely overhauled a 13-point deficit early in the final period to come up with a nerve-wracking 88-87 conquest of the formidable Alaska Aces in the first of their two-part exhibition series last night at the University of San Carlos (USC)-Main gym.

Unfortunately, the Niños of team owner Michel J. Lhuillier and head coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba will miss the services of top playmaker Woodrow Enriquez when they take on the Aces anew today at the Don Celestino Martinez, Sr. Memorial Coliseum.

Enriquez suffered a bad fall with 2:23 left in the third quarter. He laid flat on the hardcourt for a couple of minutes before he was whisked away to a hospital on a stretcher. As of this writing, Enriquez was reportedly in stable condition but is set to undergo further tests to determine the extent of his injury.

Flashy import Jason Forte topscored for the Niños with 24 points, including 10 in a 14-2 rally that turned an 11-20 M. Lhuillier deficit into a 25-23 lead with two minutes gone by in the second period.

The Aces of coach Tim Cone quickly regained the upperhand, 29-27, and was in control from there onwards. The Alaska mainstays stared at victory as they were up by five, 87-82, entering the final two-minute zone of the contest.

It turned out to be their last gasp of breath as the were held scoreless by the Niños from thereon. Stephen Padilla drilled in a triple and later Forte split his charities to pull the Niños within just a hairline, 86-87, with only 38 seconds to go.

After Alaska failed to convert in its possession, Santos was quickly fouled by Samigue Eman while going for a follow-up shot. With the crowd cheering fervently at the sidelines, Santos calmly sank his charities that dame like daggers that plunged into the Aces’ hearts.

With 5.8 seconds left, the Aces still had the chance to steal win but Larry Fonacier’s 3-point shot bounced off the rim as the time expired.

Padilla finished with 22 points spiked with six triples, while Enriquez added 10 as M. Lhuillier proved its 75-55 demolition of the Aces on September 4 last year was no fluke.

Simpson led Alaska with 26 points, while LA Tenorio and Reynel Hugnatan tossed in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The scores

M. Lhuillier (88) - Forte 24, Padilla 22, Enriquez 10, Ababon 8, Santos 6, Cruz 6, Dacia 6, Saladaga 4, Basco 2

Alaska (87) - Simpson 26, Tenorio 11, Hugnatan 10, Eman 8, Fonacier 8, De la Cruz 6, Cariaso 6, Thoss 5, De la Peña 3, Borboran 2, Cablay 2

Quarterscores:19-20, 42-42, 57-58, 88-87   (FREEMAN NEWS)