Lactovitale rips fancied Lhuillier in URBL

CEBU CITY — Lactovitale-Cebu Province Probiotics pulled off a stunning win over powerhouse M. Lhuillier Cebu City Jewelers, 90-71, yesterday at the resumption of the United Regional Basketball League at the New Cebu City Coliseum.

New recruit Reuben de la Rosa had 24 points as he ignited the Probiotics’ huge breakaway that snapped the Jewelers’ seven-game winning streak in this tournament sponsored by Lactovitale and Adidas.

The win also ended Lactovitale’s five-game losing slump as it stayed alive in the hunt for the semis slots.

M. Lhuillier-Cebu City sourly missed scoring leader James Laygo who has a foot injury. Bong Marata and Woodraw Enriquez tried to make up for his absence but their teammates struggled throughout as De la Rosa steered Lactovitale-Cebu Province to a 20-point lead twice, 33-13, and the last at 44-24 in the third period.

Leo Bat-og and Leode Garcia combined for one final surge that saw the Jewelers threaten at 71-79, with 4:34 to play.

But with fastbreak plays anchored on Gilbert Castillo, the Probiotics raged with a 11-4 closing salvo to wrap up the match.

Castillo backed up De la Rosa with 14 points while Bonel Balingit added 10. Enriquez and Marata paced the Jewelers with 16 and 15 points, respectively.

The Ilocos Sur Snipers try to bounce back when they face the Quezon Coco Huskers in the 5 p.m. encounter today at the Santo Domingo People’s Center.

But they will be missing top scorer and rebounder Ryan Bernardo, who recently signed with the PBA’s Red Bull Barako. Snipers coach Mario Quitoriano immediately tapped veteran swingman Jeff Sanders and former Letran College Knights bruiser Harold Santa Cruz and beanpole Orlan Tama to fill the void.  

Both teams are tied with 2-4 records, with the winner getting the inside track in the semis race.

The Huskers, coached by Francis Rodriguez, caused a stir after parading five new recruits in their last outing, a 103-94 demolition of second-running Harbour Centre-Pampanga at the University of the Assumption.

Newcomers Egay Echavez, Boyet Guerrero, Larry Rodriguez, Nino Marquez and Rodel Mallari created an instant impact, combining well with mainstays Buboy Rodriguez, Arnold Booker and Jomar Tierra.