Kwarta Padala takes solo lead in Mayor Tom caging

M.Lhuillier Kwarta Padala (MLKP) takes the solo lead after outsmarting Spring Cooking Oil, 81-77, last night in the main game of the First Mayor Tomas Osmeña Cup National Invitational Basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today:
4:30 p.m. - M.L. Kwarta Padala vs. Pagadian Aqua World 6:00 p.m. - Montana vs. Spring Cooking Oil

MLKP now stands with two wins and no loss after winning against Montana and Spring Cooking Oil.

MLKP's latest win, however, did not come handy with Spring Cooking Oil giving them a tough battle. It was only in the last quarter that the Cebuano bets were able to get enough breathing space.

The first half saw MLKP enjoying only a two points advantage, 41-39, even with the presence of the reliable Jojo Tangkay, Leo Bat-og, Woodraw Enriquez and Marlon Piodo.

Don Villamin delivered three straight triples in the middle of the third quarter, but the MLKP defenders tightened up their defense to grab a six-point margin going into the final canto.

Without Mar Reyes for sometime in final canto to provide the leadership for Spring Cooking Oil and only Cris Cantonjos and Rodel Manuel on the hardcourt, MLKP was able to do pull through and won the battle.

Enriquez and Piodo led MLKP's second win with a combined efforts of 30 points.

With the loss, Spring Cooking Oil now sits together with Pagadian Aqua World and Montana with 1-1 mark.

Pagadian-Aquaworld Marines was able to bounce back from defeat after winning over the Davao-based Montaña Security Agency, 90-85.

First game
AQUA WORLD(90) - Dayota 20, Balingit 17, Kelo 13, Naron 12, Isidro 10, Polo 7, Valchoncha 5, Giyab 4, Bognot 2
MONTANA(85) - Coronado 17, Jatico 14, Abanes 11, Atablanco 11, Mejorada 10, Bonifacio 7, Ayson 6, Quibod 5, Endrinal 4

Second game
MLKP(81) - Enrquez 16, Piodo 14, Tangkay 13, Bat-og 10, Marata 6, Laygo 5, Ocanada 5, Caputolan 4, Lumantas 4, Canoneo 2, Garcia 2
SPRING COOKING OIL(77) - Cantonjos 11, F.Sanz 11, Manuel 11, Latorino 9, Reyes 8, Yambao 6, Kalaw 5, R. Javier 2, Sanz 2, Villamin 2