For the first time in Liga Pilipinas history, the M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños failed to make a leg championship game as the defending national champions fell to the Smart-Pampanga Buddies, 90-86, on Day 3 of the Ilocos Sur leg of the 2009 Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference II at the Santo Domingo People’s Center.
The Buddies’ win arranged a one-game showdown with the undefeated Trace-Laguna Stallions, 83-69 victors over host Ilocos Sur Bravehearts. The Buddies finished with a 2-1 win-loss record while the Niños of coach Yayoy Alcoseba dropped to 1-2.