Toledo zaps Iloilo in MVBA cagefest

The Cebu Landmasters-Toledo City whipped up a furious fourth quarter storm to blow away the Toyota-Iloilo Warriors, 83-65, in the Visayas Division of the ML Kwarta Padala Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) First Conference on Thursday at the University of San Agustin Gym in Iloilo City.

Underscoring a balanced attack, four players scored in double figures for Iloilo of realtor Jose Soberano led by Ronald Paraiso's 17 points spiked with three triples.

Vaunted perimeter gunner Alex Cainglet and Carlos Sayon each fired 12 points, while low post operator Bernie Ursal donated 11 markers as the Toledo Landmasters bettered their win-loss record to 2-1 in the tournament backed by ML Kwarta Padala, Sulpicio Lines, Molten, Nature's Spring, Panasonic, and Cokaliong Shipping Lines.

The Toledo Landmasters raced to an 11-point lead at halftime, 51-40, but the Iloilo Warriors narrowed down the gap to only seven, 65-58, entering the final 10-minute zone of the contest.

That proved to be Iloilo's last gasp of breath as the Toledo Landmasters of coach Leoncio "Jun" Tan, Jr. detonated a game-closing 18-7 bomb to come up with an 18-point blowout.

It was Iloilo's second straight loss at home in as many starts to join Mantawi Traders of Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Z. Ouano at the cellar in the Visayas bracket.

The Landmasters paraded pointguard Maui Huelar to fill in the void left by Jimwell Torion, who was signed up by the Sta. Lucia Realty in the PBA last week. The former Negros Slashers star of the defunct MBA did not create so much noise scoring only two points.

The Toledo Landmasters were given such a privilege to check in a new player as what they did in releasing Torion was for a noble cause and in accordance with the league's primordial objective to give players from Vis-Min region an avenue where they could polish their skills in preparation for bigger leagues.

Today, Iligan hopes to bounce back from its previous loss when it battles Montana Pawnshop-Davao in Maramag, Bukidnon.

The Maramag games are supported by the municipal government of Maramag headed by Mayor Jose Obedencio.