Cebu bounces back

MANILA, Philippines - M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu claimed the first finals berth in the seventh leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) by crushing Ani-FCA, 91-71, yesterday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym in Manila.

A day after being shocked by Manny Pacquiao’s MP Gensan, 79-74, that ended their 30-game winning run, the Niños returned with guns blazing to finish the elims with a 2-1 card in the tournament jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League and Liga Pilipinas.

In the finals, Cebu will face Cobra Energy Drink which outlasted Manny Pacquiao’s MP Gensan, 63-61.

Elmer Espiritu starred for Cobra by hitting a tough basket with only six seconds left to complete their remarkable come-from-behind win.

The Ironmen trailed 61-55 with two minutes left but scored six unanswered points to tie the count then came through with a defensive gem that paved the way for Espiritu’s game-winning basket.

Ex-pro Stephen Padilla redeemed himself big time as he sparked Cebu’s mighty charge that saw the Niños take several 24-point leads.

“What happened yesterday (Thursday) was more mental because the guys were tired,” said Cebu coach Yayoy Alcoseba.

Padilla erupted for 16 points all in the first half spiked by four triples before Ariel Mepana took charge to lead the team with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Marlon Basco also made his presence felt by scoring nine points and getting the same number of rebounds.

Jun Dizon led Ani-FCA with 19 points while former University of Santo Tomas star Christian Luanzon and Jofer Custodio added 15 and 13 points, respectively, in a losing effort.

It was a crushing setback for the Cultivators, whose hope of making the leg finals for the first time was denied by Cobra the other day.

 The scores:

First Game

M. Lhuillier Cebu 91 - Mepana 17, Padilla 16, Dacia 13, Basco 9, Poligrates 9, Ybanez 8, Magsumbol 7, Ababon 6, Cruz 2, Saladaga 2, Mondragon 2, Santos 0.

ANI-FCA 71 - Dizon 19, Luanzon 15, Custodio 13, Sena 6, Te 6, Arao 5, Bautista 3, Saguindel 2, Hugnatan 2, Sevilla 0, Co 0, Membrere 0.

Quarters: 22-9; 41-21; 64-40; 91-71.

Second Game

Cobra 63 - Acuna 16, Llagas 14, Barua 13, Espiritu 6, Tecson 4, Lingganay 4, Nabong 4, Afable 2, Canizares 0, Bagatsing 0.

MP Gensan 61 - Nicdao 12, Raymundo 11, Gonzaga 10, Parreno 10, Daja 6, Callo 4, Sagad 2, Pacquiao B. 2, Concepcion 2, Mendoza 2, Medalla 0, Coronado 0, Yambao 0, Farochilen 0.

Quarterscores: 7-10; 26-24; 44-42; 63-61.