Cebuana Lhuillier in merciless siege

CEBU CITY – Cebuana Lhuillier poured all its frustrations on Casino Cagayan de Oro Monday night and came up with the biggest winning margin yet in the MBA First Conference at the Cebu Coliseum.

The final score was 106-76 for a 30-point difference that somehow eased the stigma of the 96-91 loss the Gems suffered at the hands of the RCPI Negros Slashers at the same venue on Saturday.

It also enabled the Gems of coach Francis Rodriguez to gain a share of the lead with the Slashers and the Olongapo Volunteers. They all carry 4-win, 1-loss slates.

The Gems actually started slowly, even allowing the Amigos to post a 21-19 first quarter lead.

Bruce Dacia and Jercules Tangkay found their range, however, allowing the Gems to gain control by halftime, 69-54.

Ahead by 15 points at the end of the third quarter, the Gems never wavered to push back the Amigos to the cellar of the eight-team field with a 1-5 card.

The high-flying Dacia drilled in 28 points and had five steals, while Tangkay, another power leaper, complemented him with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Marc Pingris, a prime candidate for Discovery of the Year, also did well with 11 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists for the Gems, whose trapping defense netted them 12 Blitz 3s.

The Amigos drew 16 points and 11 rebounds from 6-foot-5 Ricky Calimag, but Top Gun Peter Naron was held to 11 points.

LBC Batangas and Pampanga are tangling at presstime at the CEU Centrodome in Malolos City.