CEBU, Philippines - The M.Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños lost a 14-point lead in the third period, but hardworking center Marlon Basco and spunky guard Mark Ababon made crucial hits in the windup to power the defending national champion to a close 68-61 win over Trace-Laguna Stallions at the start of the Liga Pilipinas Conference 4 pre-season games yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
Games today
(Cebu Coliseum)
5 pm M. Lhuillier vs. Ave Maria
7 pm GenSan MP Warriors vs. Laguna Stallions
The Niños of team owner Michel J. Lhuillier and legendary coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba greeted the third quarter with a fuid 9-0 run to mount their biggest lead of the night, 41-27, but the gritty Stallions quickly wiped out the deficit and even regained the driver’s seat, 55-54, off a nine-to-nothing blast to kick off the final canto.
The Stallions of coach Nomar were ahead for the last time at 57-56 as Basco drained a pivotal 3-pointer to give back the Niños the lead, 59-57, for good heading into the last four-minute zone of the contest. He then sank alternating baskets with Ababon before Bruce Dacia knocked in a pair of free throws with six seconds left to play to settle the final tally.
Basco, who scored the team’s first six points, topscored for the Niños with 17 points, while Stephen Padila chipped in 11 markers. Glen Bolocon was the lone double-digit scorer for Laguna with 11 points.
The scores
Cebu (68) – Basco 17, Padilla 11, Ababon 9, Dacia 9, Santos 8, Enriquez 5, Poligrates 4, Magsumbol 2, Mepana 2, Saladaga 1
Laguna (61)- Bolocon 11, Sanz 8, Ricafuente 8, Estrada 6, Grijaldo 6, Musngi 4, Villaver 4, Mangahas 3, Angeles 3, Legaspi 3, Capati 2 (FREEMAN NEWS)