Cebu’s Lhuillier, Shineway set duel for NBL crown

CEBU CITY — Cebu’s M. Lhuillier and Ozamiz’s Shineway Ham Sausage trounced their respective rivals Tuesday night to arrange a showdown for the National Basketball League’s first regional championship at the new Cebu Coliseum here.

Two free throws by Danny Aying in the closing seconds lifted the Jewelers past Forward Taguig, 82-81, while Shineway leaned on the spectacular showing of Jerry Jaca and Egay Echavez to rout Malabon’s Spring Cooking Oil, 91-76.

The Jewelers and Shineway were playing for the title at press time last night. The Jewelers had previously routed Shineway in the tourney sponsored by Oishi, Unimex, Shineway, Mei Mei Bijon, Hotel de Mercedes and Molten (official ball).

The Jewelers trailed, 13-20 and 56-57 in the first and third quarters, but bounced back on the timely sallies of Aldrin Ocanada, Jessie Lumantas and Ramil Ferma.

NBL executive vice president Nathaniel "Tac" Padilla announced that the NBL national championship will unfold on April 26 in Ozamiz City .