Oilers back in form, rip Meteors

LUCENA CITY, Philippines – The host Quezon Red Oilers trounced the visiting Misamis Oriental Meteors, 102-93, to kick off the Smart Liga Pilipinas Quezon leg at the Quezon Convention Center Wednesday night.

Using a swarming defense, the Red Oilers of Gov. Raffy Nantes controlled the game from start to finish en route to a rousing win before a huge hometown crowd.

 “We limited their big men,” said coach Oliver Bunyi. “Hopefully, we can regain our form and start winning again.”

With key players Jorel Canizares, Ramsey Williams and Angelus Raymundo returning to the lineup after missing the Cebu City leg last month, the Red Oilers displayed the form that made them reach all their four-leg championship games last conference and the National semifinals.

It also marked the franchise’s first win this conference supported by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Air 21, Gatorade and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Meanwhile, the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños stretched their undefeated run to nine games by beating the EKB-Apayao Rapids, 96-90.

The Niños of Michel J. Lhuillier and coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba dictated the tempo from the opening buzzer. However, the Rapids managed to trim the final deficit in the fourth canto.