M. Lhuillier floors Pacman in opener

Visayas Division champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Jewelers turned up the heat in the second half to thwart Mindanao Division champion PacMan-GenSan, 101-91, and take a 1-0 upstart in their best-of-five ML Kwarta Padala Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) First Conference Finals on Tuesday at the Cebu Coliseum.

PacMan of boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and Coach Ramon Pido raced to a 16-point advantage in the second period, 43-27, behind enforcer Jaypee Locsin and Mindanao Division Most Valuable Player Louie Medalla.

M. Lhuillier then leaned on a nine-point explosion from guard Niño Ramirez to close in by halftime, 47-53.

With the momentum on their side, Woodrow Enriquez presided over M. Lhuillier's initial second half salvo, capped by a basket by Visayas Division MVP Jayford Rodriguez that gave them the lead for good with four minutes to go in the third canto, 65-64.

Mike Manigo then pushed the Jewelers further ahead entering the final quarter, 72-66. The Jewelers outscored PacMan in the pivotal third period, 25-13.

Manigo continued his heroics by pumping in two triples as part of a 10-2 opening run that gave the Jewelers of Coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba their biggest lead of the game, 82-70.

PacMan would threaten for the last time, 83-86, on a Locsin basket with 3:50 to play.

Manigo and Enriquez eventually scored 10 markers each in the final quarter to preserve the win, M. Lhuillier's highest scoring output thus far in the five-month tournament supported by ML Kwarta Padala, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Nature's Spring Drinking Water, Gameface.ph, Molten, Panasonic and Sulpicio Lines.

Manigo led all scorers with 23 points followed by Enriquez and Rodriguez with 18 each. Ramirez added 14 markers.

Center Weng Farochillen topped PacMan with 18 points via six triples. Locsin followed with 17 points, 11 coming in the first quarter. Medalla and Noel Sandoval also finished in twin digits with 14 and 12, respectively.

Both teams were locked in battle as of this writing last night in Game 2 still at the Cebu Coliseum.

The series shifts to General Santos for Game 3 on June 11 (Sunday) and if needed Game 4 on June 13. June 16 is reserved for the deciding Game 5 back in M. Lhuillier's home turf.

The scores

M. Lhuillier-Cebu (101) - Manigo 23, Enriquez 18, Rodriguez 18, Ramirez 14, Mepana 9, Llanto 7, Caputolan 4, Aying 3, Piodo 2, Tangarorang 2

Pacman-Gensan (91) - Farochillen 18, Locsin 17, Medalla 14, Sandoval 12, Coronado 9, Dennison 7, Tadena 6, Recustodio 5, Cabanlit 3

Quarterscores: 25-30, 47-53, 72-66, 101-91