Three days after its latest title quest, the M. Lhuillier Kwarta-Padala sent a message to other teams that it wants more.
The Cebu-based quintet blasted the visiting Malabon-Spring dribblers 93-77 to open its bid in the Christmas Cup of the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) at the Cebu Coliseum last night.
Games today:
5:00pm -
Zamboanga vs.
M. Lhuillier
6:30pm - MisOr vs.Pagadian
The Jewelers started strong early in the first quarter but Malabon-Spring bounced back and took a 16-13 lead in the first quarter.
Just as when Malabon thought it had the game in the bag, the tried and tested Danny Aying, Bruce Dacia and Leo Bat-og put their acts together to come up with a 15-0 run that caught Malabon reeling.
Coach Raul Alcoseba’s wards, learning from the first quarter lapse, went on to erect an 18-point advantage going into the third with Ronal Capati contributing eight points in the onslaught.
Dondon Villamin stepped up and tried to turn the game for the visiting Malabon-Spring quintet, but he couldn’t cope up with the deeper bench of M. Lhuillier.
Guard Woodrow Enriquez of M. Lhuillier, along with the likes of Jayford Rodriguez, Stephen Padilla, Alano Caputolan and Jerry Cavan, conspired in the fourth quarter for the easy victory.
Second conference MVP Bruce Dacia was content in assisting his teammates and only had four points.
Ronald Capati topscored with 18 points for M. Lhuillier while Aying and Cavan had 11 points apiece.
Dondon Villamin had 18 points in a losing effort for Malabon.
THE SCORES:
M. Lhuillier (93) - Capati 18, Aying 11, Cavan 11, Rodriguez 9, Gatumbato 7, Latonio 7, Bat-og 6, Enriquez 6, Caputulan 4, Dacia 4, Basco 3, Padilla 2, Piodo 2
Malabon Spring (77) - Villamin 8, Epondolan 17, De Castro 12, Tajonera 8, Reyes 7, Capobres 6, Balneg 5, Cuenca 2, Guiyab 2 — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol and Marigold Lebumfacil