Shineway, M. Lhuillier to figure in Panasonic Cup final

CEBU CITY — Defending champion Shineway-Compak-Ozamiz City and archrival M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu head for another showdown in the Panasonic-National Basketball League (NBL) Regional Cup as both southern powerhouses turned back their respective northern opponents yesterday at the New Cebu City Coliseum here.

Shineway-Compak-Ozamiz City held strong down the stretch to oust the Ilocos Sur Snipers, 94-87, while M. Lhuillier-Kwarta Padala-Cebu hang tough down the final 1:30 to outlast Spring Cooking Oil-San Pablo, 72-68.

Veteran bruiser Alwyn Flores and skipper Edgar Echavez delivered double-double outputs to seal the sudden death championship showdown against M. Lhuillier-Kwarta Padala in the 4:30 p.m. main encounter.

Flores capped his sterling performance with 23 points and 10 rebounds while Echavez chipped in 23 points and 10 assists.

Ilocos Sur and Spring Cooking Oil-San Pablo, on the other hand, duel in a knockout match for third place at 2 p.m. and will be followed immediately by Individual Players Achievement Awards where the league’s best players will be feted in a short and simple ceremony.

Getting the needed break from Ozamiz coach Francis Rodriguez, Flores proved himself by coming up with 23 points as he came off the bench to replace foul-troubled starter Larry Rodriguez and combined with Arnold Booker in pushing Ozamiz on top, 29-19.

The Snipers, aiming to create an impact in their maiden NBL campaign, fought back behind Tony Reyes, Oliver Agapito and Kenny Evans to get back on top at the half, 46-45.

But the defending champs quickly bounced back with skipper Edgar Echavez getting his groove going while Booker and Boyet Guerrero delivered crucial shots that installed the Ozamiznons back in control, 72-61, after three quarters.

The match turned rather physical in the final period as Snipers Chris Ferraren and Jayson Alminario sustained bad cuts on their faces on separate occasions. Reyes, Kalani Ferreria and Jerome Barbosa tried their best to put the Snipers within range but timely hits by Echavez and Flores down the stretch sent Ozamiz marching into the finals.

M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu, on the other hand, continued to show its invincibility at home with Woodraw Enriquez and Danny Aying cooking up 22-15 lead for the Cebuanos.

Egged on by the presence of San Pablo City Mayor Florante "Boy" Aquino, Spring closed the gap by the halftime break, 30-33.

However, the 7-Lakers failed to contain Bruce Dacia who exploded with 13 points in the pivotal third period alone and was later joined by Enriquez and Aying to keep the Cebuanos in the driver’s seat, 59-50, going into the final 10 minutes of the match.

Spring Cooking Oil-San Pablo tried to get back on track and came close, 62-66, on Robin Mendoza’s split with 1:30 remaining.

But muscleman Jessie Lumantas quickly answered with an acrobatic lay-up by, 68-62, 1:18 left. Later, Aldrich reyes and Aying hit crucial baskets to ensure victory for M. Lhuillier-Kwarta Padala-Cebu, 72-64, with 24 seconds to go.

7 Lakers Robin Mendoza and Michael Tolentino drilled a basket each in the stretch for the final tally.

Barbosa led the Snipers with 23 points and 13 rebounds while Reyes added 17 points.

Dacia and Enriquez led the way for M. Lhuillier with 17 points each. Mario Reyes topped Spring with 16 markers with Mel Crisostomo banged in 15.