Cebu downs Misamis, nails third TOP title

MANILA, Philippines - M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu got back at Misamis Oriental and pulled off a 75-71 victory to become the first three-leg winner of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) before a jampacked crowd at the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City last Thursday.

The Niños leaned on their big third quarter run to seize control then withstood the Meteors fierce challenge in the fourth to pound out the win and rule the eighth leg of the league jointly organized by Liga Pilipinas and Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

Mark Ababon hit a triple over the outstretched arm of Khiel Misa as the Cebuanos held the Meteors at bay with a 75-71 cushion with eight seconds left in the contest.

Ababon actually drew a foul from Misa in that play but missed the bonus shot although the trey was enough to seal the victory for the visiting squad.