Unbeaten M. Lhuillier trips Taguig, claims solo lead

TAGUIG — Cebu’s M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala downed host Forward Taguig, 83-78, Wednesday night to seize the solo lead in the National Basketball League (NBL) national championship at the C.P. Tinga Memorial Hall here.

Arnold Rodriguez hit a triple with three minutes to go to give the Cebuanos the lead for good, 73-72.

With their third straight win, the Cebuanos grabbed the top spot even as the Pampanga Bulls stopped Compak Shineway-Ozamiz, 82-71, in the opener.

It was the second consecutive victory for the Bulls in the tourney supported by Tanduay Rhum, Air Philippines, Cebu Ferries, Nature’s Spring Water, Supercat, BJ Star Logistics, Gatorade, Panasonic, The Freeman and Molten Basketballs.

Action resumes today at the University of Assumption gym in Pampanga with Ozamiz facing MayniLA at 2 p.m. and the Cebuanos staking their lead against the Bulls at 4 o’clock.

Aldrin Ocanada and Dave Bautista earned MVP honors for Cebu and Pampanga, respectively.

Ocanada led Lhuillier with 16 points while Bautista starred for Pampanga with 16 points and 17 rebounds.