M. Lhuillier decks Alaska in OT

CEBU, Philippines - The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños once again proved they are the master tamer of the Alaska Aces.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

5 pm M.Lhuillier

vs. Powerade

7 pm Alaska vs. Meralco

For the fourth time this year, the Niños of team owner Michel J. Lhuillier and head coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba reaffirmed their dominance over Alaska, but this time they had to wade through a five-minute extension before walking away with a 94-92 victory over the visiting PBA heavyweight in the opening match of the 2nd Cebu City Mayor’s Cup Invitational last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Devon Sullivan immediately made an impression donning for the first time the M. Lhuillier uniform with a game-high 18 points.

Richard Ian Saladaga added 17 markers, Abby Santos added 12 and another newcomer Ramsey Williams scored 10 for the Niños, who kept on chasing the Aces in the early goings and even suffered an eight-point deficit, 49-41, early in the third period.

But the Niños suddenly found their offensive and charged back with savvy to quickly erase the deficit and eventualy wrest the driver’s seat, 69-63, entering the final period.

Though the Niños maintained a 77-69 edge, the Aces slowly crept back to forge an 87-all deadlock with 35 points left to play in the regulation period. They could have won the match outright but Sullivan missed a barreling drive amidst a phalanx of Alaska defenders.

After Saladaga sank the first basket during the overtime period, M. Lhuillier was in full control, allowing the Aces to threaten only at 90-91 as Williams later knocked in three straight free throws to seal the deal for the Niños.     - (THE FREEMAN)