M. Lhuillier hacks out 81-76 win over Air 21

CEBU, Philippines - Three-time Liga Pilipinas national champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños rode on an explosive opening assault then quelled Air 21's endgame rally to hack out an 81-76 victory over the visiting PBA squad during their goodwill encounter the other night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Game on Wednesday

(Cebu Coliseum)

6 pm M. Lhuillier vs. B-Meg Derby Ace

Spotlighting the even spread of their offensive wealth, five M. Lhuillier players punched in twin figures led by Richard Ian Saladaga with 12 points.

Jayford Rodriguez, Nat Cruz and Bogs Raymundo scored 11 apiece, while Felix Belano, Jr. - still in euphoria for instantly winning a championship in his first stint as head coach of the UV Green Lancers during the 5th CESAFI Partners' Cup a few days ago, chipped in 10 markers for the Niños, who kept Air 21 at bay since jumping off to a 29-18 start.

After posting a 46-34 advantage with just a minute gone by after halftime, the Niños of team owner Michel J. Lhuillier and decorated coach Raul "Yayoy" D. Alcoseba maintained double-digit leads, the biggest stood at 19 points, 59-40, with still four minutes left in the third period.

Air 21 came to life in the fourth quarter behind the hot shooting hands of Josh Urbiztondo, chopping the deficit down to only three points, 79-76, on two free throws by Reed Friar Juntilla with 53 seconds left to play.

But that was Air 21's brightest moment as they could not plot one good offensive play after Rodriguez knocked in a pair of foul throws that sealed M. Lhuillier's five-point triumph with 40 ticks remaining in the contest.

The match was briefly halted late in the second canto when Air 21 staged a walkout in protest after M. Lhuillier's Mark Abadia whacked Leo Avenido's face with his right hand in a fit of temper. Abadia was swiftly thrown out of the game and got booed by displeased fans on his way to their dugout.

Urbiztondo paced Air 21 with 12 points, while Avenido and Leo Najorda each netted 11 markers.

Meanwhile, M. Lhuillier will take on another PBA challenge against the James Yap-led B-Meg Derby Ace at 6 pm on Wednesday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The scores

M. Lhuillier (81) - Saladaga 12, Rodriguez 11, Cruz 11, Raymundo 11, Belano 10, Padilla 8, Santos 6, Ababon 6, Baguion 4, Nailon 2

Air 21 (76) - Urbiztondo 12, Najorda 11, Avenido 11,Gatumbato 8, Seigle 8, Juntilla 7, Peña 7, Espiritu 5, Artadi 5, Sharma 2 (FREEMAN)