Llamados-Niños game ends in draw

CEBU, Philippines - They failed to score another win against a PBA giant, but M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu Niños still managed to show their dominance as they forced a 105-105 draw with perennial PBA title contender B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados in their exhibition game the other night at the Cebu Coliseum.

It was a clear underdog status for the multi-titled Cebu Niños with MVP James Yap and import Courtney Beasley playing for B-Meg, but the defending Liga Pilipinas national champions showed their grit to deny the Llamados a win.

Trailing 10-2 in the opening minute against B-Meg, the Niños made adjustments and rallied to close the halftime with a seven point lead, 56-49.

 After posting a 61-50 advantage on the 9:25 of the third canto, the Niños of team owner Michel J. Lhuillier and decorated coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba defended the lead against the scoring rally launched by Llamados to close the third period up by three, 82-79.

 Predicting that Niños are a very tough customer to handle, coach Jorge Gallent of the Llamados needed a spirited endgame push sparked by one of their marquee big men, Kerby Raymundo and shooter Peter June Simon to bring their team back to life in the final period.

 Down by eight points in the final eight minutes, 84-92, B-Meg rode on the hot shooting of Simon and Raymundo to claim a three point lead, 101-98 with 2:44 to go in the game.

But instead of losing spirit after blowing the lead, Niños regained their composure and turned to Jayford Rodriguez, who carried the team with his impressive offensive display including a tear drop shot that knotted the count at 105-all with 20 seconds left in the game.

 The Llamados got the chance to close the game with the win, but Simon failed to get a decent against the defense of the Niños.

 Rodriguez top scored for Niños with 20 points, followed by Abby Santos and Mark Abadia who chipped in 15 and 13 points respectively.

 While Raymundo who got a brief scare after falling down hard on his newly operated knee in the closing seconds of the game, leads B-Meg with his 24 points while Simon scored 15 points and Yap who did not play in the second half with a hurt ankle dished in eight points. (FREEMAN)