Rodriguez delivers for Kwarta Padala

CEBU CITY — Arnold Rodriguez provided the big lift for M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala in the last 22 seconds to outlast Forward Taguig, 74-69, yesterday and move a win away from clinching the NBL first National Championship crown at the New Cebu Coliseum here.

Rodriguez, who wound up with 11 points, four rebounds and five assists, sank three-of-four from the free throw line in the tight endgame for the Cebuanos to claim Game One of their best-of-three championship series.

And M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba and his wards will go all out to deliver a historic first for the Queen City of the South in this tournament sponsored by Tanduay Rhum, Air Philippines, PCSO, Panasonic, Burlington, Cebu Ferries, SuperCat, Gatorade, Nature’s Spring Drinking Water, BJ Star Logistics, The Freeman, Sinners and Saints, Jaguar KTV and Molten Basketball . It is telecast over IBC-13 through the facilities of Silverstar Communications Inc. with replays over Destiny’s Prime Channel 61.

"It will be a great honor for Cebu to emerge as the first national champion in NBL history. We’ll go for the sweep because we also don’t want to go to Taguig," said Alcoseba.

"There are only two things I emphasized to the boys — stay focus and work harder on defense. Taguig was quite a challenge but the boys showed a bigger heart in the tight endgame," he added.

The Cebuanos proved to be big headache for Taguig coach Danny Gavierres as they led as many as 11 twice, the last at 65-54, with 1:30 left in the third quarter.

Folowing some adjustments, Forward Taguig managed to stage a big comeback in the final quarter, limiting the rivals to just six points in the first nine minutes to trim the gap to just two, 69-71, on Chris Quimpo’s lay-up with 32.2 seconds to go.

But Rodriguez emerged the saving grace for M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu in the stretch.

He split his freethrows off Erwin Sta. Maria in the last 22 seconds and later intercepted Jimmy Robillos’ pass to Miko Roldan.

In a desperate attempt to contain Rodriguez, Roldan compounded problems for Taguig when he yielded a foul on Rodriguez who sank both charities with three seconds to go to settle the issue.

Though Forward Taguig enjoys the height advantage in this championship series, Cebu’s teamwork proved more effective as they outrebounded the rivals, 41-39, scored 14 points on fastbreaks and translated the former’s 15 turnovers into 14 points.

Aldrin Ocanada led M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu with 18 points while Mike Manigo added 10.

Roldan topped Forward Taguig with 17 points while Robillos and Robin Mendoza added 13 and 12 points respectively.

The NBL also feted Pampanga Bull Dave Bautista as the Most Valuable Player of the conference.

Though missing the second semifinal game against Forward Taguig, Bautista amassed enough points to ensure himself of the coveted crown with 394 SP’s.

Joining him in the Mythical Five are Forward Taguig’s Jimmy Robillos (361 SP) and Robin Mendoza (349), Compak Shineway-Ozamiz’ Milfred Sampilo (300) and M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala’s Arnold Rodriguez (313).

The scores:

M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu 74 — Ocanada 18, Rodriguez 11, Manigo 10, Smith 6, Lumantas 6, Enriquez 5, Cantona 5, Caputolan 4, De la Rosa 3, Canoneo 0, Arano 0.

Forward Taguig 69 — Roldan 17, Robillos 13, Mendoza 12, Bernardino 9, Sta. Maria 8 Vilar 6, Quimpo 2, Macanig 2, Go-Bon 0, Nuqui 0, Soto 0.

Quarterscores: 14-17; 42-39; 65-56; 74-69