Lhuillier, Ascof fives seal title showdown

MANILA, Philippines - M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu bucked another shaky start to trounce Treston Laguna, 81-70, while Ascof Lagundi nipped Agrinurture-FCA, 91-88, to arrange a showdown for the Tournament of the Philippines first leg crown at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium yesterday.

The Niños battled back from an early 14-point deficit behind their vaunted trapping defense to wrest control in the second quarter then whisked off Laguna’s rallies to post the win, their second straight in as many days.

Sean Co fired 14 points, including a three-point play off Christian Luanzon with 14.4 seconds left as the Cough Busters grabbed the lead at 89-88, and a pair of charities after Agrinurture’s Boyet Bautista bungled a jumper in their last offensive play.

Stephen Padilla, Warren Ybanez and Mark Magsumbol combined for M. Lhuiller in the second quarter where the Niños outscored the Stallions, 22-15, to pull away for good.

With the victory, the Niños extended their winning streak to 23, counting the 21 they piled up in sweeping Liga Conference III last year.

Padilla topscored for the Niños for the second straight game with 15 points after firing 30 in their victory over Agrinurture-FCA, 86-73, in the opening day of the tournament sponsored by Air21, Molten, Ascof Lagundi, Agrinurture, Treston College, Burlington and Basketball TV.

“We’re just 75 percent of our true form,” said coach Yayoy Alcoseba. “We had another slow start but I think we’ll do better in our last two games.”

Padilla had only two triples after exploding for eight the first time out.

The Niños dominated the boards, 56-27, and had more second chance points, 25-11.

Glenn Bolocon, Rob Sanz, Francis Mercado and Leomer Losentes all scored 10 points to lead the Laguna cagers, who fell to 0-2.