LOS BAñOS, Laguna , Philippines – Defending national champion Misamis Oriental Meteors maintained their dominance over the host Trace-Laguna Stallions, 80-70, at the start of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Laguna leg Wednesday night at the Stallions’ Gym at Trace College.
Trailing by a point at halftime, 35-36, the Meteors of Gov. Oscar Moreno and coach Jun Noel began the third period with a rare four-point play by Patrick Cabahug in the first possession, igniting a 16-2 run the Stallions never recovered from, 51-38.
The win though came at a cost as Mark Moreno, who fuelled the run, suddenly rolled his ankle with eight minutes to play in the third.
He is doubtful for the balance of the weeklong tournament sponsored by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Air 21, Gatorade and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
With Moreno down, the other Meteor guards stepped up as Ramil Tagupa joined Cabahug and Lyndon Gudez in keeping the Stallions of Erwin Genuino and coach Nomar Isla in check with their timely baskets.