Lhuillier halts Pampanga Bulls for fourth straight NBL victory

SAN FERNANDO CITY – Cebu’s M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala fortified its lead in the National Basketball League (NBL) national championship Friday by dealing the Pampanga Bulls their first loss in three games, 83-76, at the University of Assumption gym here.

Led by Alano Caputolan and Aldrin Ocanada, the Cebuanos controlled the game from the start en route to their fourth straight victory.

Earlier, MayniLA held off a fierce Compak Shineway-Ozamiz rally to pull out a 74-71 victory and remain as the only other undefeated squad in the seven-team pack.

A free throw by Jonathan Serrano and a timely interception by Glenn Peter Yap of a Melfred Sampilo pass preserved MayniLA’s third straight win.

Lhuillier and MayniLA dispute the lead 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 when they clash at 3 p.m. today at the CEU gym in Malolos, Bulacan.

Spring Cooking Oil-Bulacan seeks its first win in five games against Ozamiz (2-2) in the main game at 5.