Golden Lions reduce Warriors to shreds in Liga

SANTA CRUZ, Laguna, Philippines  – The Laguna Golden Lions finally tallied their first win in the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V by outlasting the MP Warriors of GenSan, 87-78, on opening day of the Laguna Leg Wednesday at the San Luis Sports Complex.

With basketball legend Philip Cezar debuting as head coach and team owner Gov. ER Ejercito watching on the sidelines, the Golden Lions bucked a shaky start to slowly run away from the Warriors of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and coach Arvin Bonleon. From a 9-9 deadlock, Glenn Bolocon came off the bench to combine with starting center Bryan Faundo as they scored all but three of the Golden Lions’ next 19 points to grab the lead for good after one period, 28-18.

Bolocon then added timely baskets in the second half in tandem with Gherome Ejercito to frustrate the Warriors’ repeated attempts to rally. Bolocon then capped his performance with a three-point play that virtually dashed the Warriors’ hopes, 87-74, and 2:07 to play.

Bolocon finished with 23 points and five rebounds while Faundo followed with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Louie Medalla paced the Warriors with 17 points while Alfie Grijaldo chipped in 15.

In the opener, the Ilocos Sur CS Tigers hung tough down the stretch to end their six-game losing skid by whipping the Misamis Oriental Meteors, 86-81.

Chito Jaime sank a triple with 37 seconds remaining that pushed the CS Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Coach Johnedel Cardel ahead, 82-81. Lyndon Gudez then fired a hurried triple that went nowhere, forcing the Meteors to foul former FEU Tamaraw John Gonzalez.

Gonzalez, who went scoreless in the Tigers’ first eight games, responded by sinking his two free throws for an 84-81 count and 17 ticks to go. Gudez and Dino Daa then continued to miss from three-point range forcing them to foul Gonzalez again who responded by shooting two more free throws for the final tally with four seconds on the clock.

The Meteors of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel looked to have the game in the bag, erecting a 77-71 advantage entering the final two minutes. Warren Ybanez made six straight baskets to fuel the Tigers’ rally, setting the stage for Jaime and Gonzalez’ endgame heroics.

Jaime led all scorers with a total of 26 points and seven rebounds. Ramsey Williams had another all-around performance with 14 points and eight assists. Gonzales submitted 12 points on top of seven rebounds. Gudez led the Meteors with five triples en route to 19 points. New addition Ernesto Billones debuted as a Meteor with 18 points and eight assists.