Eagles stay unscathed, whip Gems

CAGAYAN DE ORO — Professional Davao asserted its mastery of Cebuana Lhuillier with a 79-75 victory yesterday in the MBA National Conference at the Mindanao Polytechnic State College Gym here.

The Eagles again ruled the boards, 60-42, in duplicating their 76-65 conquest of the Gems in their first meeting on Sunday in Davao and improving their record to 3-0 in the Southern Conference.

The Gems, who took a 47-41 halftime lead, dropped to 1-2.

It was Peter June Simon’s turn to shine for the Eagles as he wound up with 16 points, three rebounds and one assist.

Romulo Marata, atoning for his so-so showing in the Eagles’ earlier victories, came through with a game-high 20 points for coach Bong Go.

Cid White typified the Eagles domination inside the shaded lane as he collared 13 rebounds. Rookies Billy Mamaril and Jon Dan Salvador grabbed nine rebounds each.

Meanwhile, Cebuana Lhuillier coach Francis Rodriguez has been appointed as head coach of the MBA All-Star competing in the 2002 Jones Cup in Taiwan.

Rodriguez’s appointment was confirmed by MBA director for basketball operations Butch Maniego during the Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines Forum at the Kamayan in Padre Faura.

Chosen to assist Rodriguez were LBC Batangas coach Nash Racela and Lawrence Chongson of Osaka Pangasinan.

Today’s games at the Bren Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga, pit Osaka Pangasinan against Gilbey’s Olongapo and LBC Batangas against Pampanga at 6 p.m.