Cebu sweeps Laguna To face MisOr in TOP finals

MANILA, Philippines - Dreaded sharp-shooter Stephen Padilla pumped in 22 points and Richard Ian Saladaga added 15 as the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños completed a two-game sweep over Treston-Laguna Stallions with a masterful 89-79 victory last night to advance into the National Finals of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Niños, thus, set up a dream championship showdown with archrival MisOr Meteors for the inaugural title of the tournament jointly organized by the Liga Pilipinas and Philippine Basketball League. Game 1 of the best-of-three finals series is set on September 7 with Cebu enjoying homecourt advantage.

The Stallions were in fighting mood early on and trailed by just a hairline, 12-13, but Saladaga compiled nine points in a 15-3 run as the Niños started to rip the game apart, 28-15.

Padilla then took over the scoring chores in the second period where he charted 10 points capped by a buzzer-beating triple that pushed the Niños of team owner Michel J. Lhuillier and legendary coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba ahead by 19 points at halftime, 53-34.

The Niños posted their biggest lead at 23 points, the last was at 65-42 midway in the third period. The Stallions of coach Nomar Isla pulled within 13 points, 56-69, but the Niños replied with a 9-0 blitz to put the game under control the rest of the way.

Ariel Mepaña also finished with 15 points for the Niños, who have lost only once this season. Glen Bonocon topped the Stallions with 25 points, while Marlon Legaspi banged in 14 markers.

The Niños will next face the Meteors, who advanced into the finals without even breaking a sweat as Hobe Bihon Taguig did not show up in two games of their semifinal duel scheduled at the Xavier Sports Complex in Cagayan de Oro City. — THE FREEMAN