Jewelers crush rivals in Game 1

CEBU CITY–The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Jewelers crushed the visiting Toyota-Iloilo Warriors Wednesday evening, 96-78, to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three Visayas Division semifinal series of the ML Kwarta Padala Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) First Conference at the New Cebu City Coliseum.

Swingman Jayford Rodriguez and point guard Woodrow Enriquez set the tone early by combining for 20 points in the first quarter as M. Lhuillier of coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba outscored the Warriors, 36-17. A basket by Marlon Piodo and a triple by Mike Manigo opened the second period, giving the Jewelers their biggest lead of 24 markers, 41-17.

Not giving up easily, the Iloilo Basketball League-backed Warriors gamely clawed back to cut the deficit to only nine points, 53-62, midway through the third period behind the efforts of Ruel Balgos, Eldrin Senierez and Francis Sanz. M. Lhuillier countered with 15-5 run to close out the third canto, 77-58. From there, it was easy sailing for M. Lhuillier as they coasted to the win, their ninth in a row in the games made possible by ML Kwarta Padala, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Nature’s Spring Drinking Water, Panasonic, Molten and Sulpicio Lines.

Both teams fight it out again today with M. Lhuillier going for the series clincher at the spanking new 5,000-seat Pototan Astrodome, a good 40-minute ride from Iloilo City. The Warriors hope to draw fire from their home fans to force a deciding Game Three after initial ticket sales point to a full house for tonight’s exciting encounter.

Rodriguez top-scored for M. Lhuillier with 21 points followed by Enriquez with 17 and Niño Ramirez with 16. Balgos paced the Warriors with 26 points while Sanz added 13 and Senierez 10.

The winner will go on to play the winner of the Cebu Landmaster-Toledo and Mantawi Traders series for the Visayas Division championship. Toledo leads the series, 1-0, with Game Two set for May 21 at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.