Ilocos Sur tops GenSan

SANTO DOMINGO, Ilocos Sur, Philippines  - The Ilocos Sur CS Tigers celebrated their return to regional basketball by clipping the visiting MP Warriors of GenSan, 84-76, in opening day action from the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V at the Santo Domingo People’s Center.

The hosts CS Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson drew big plays from their second unit to give coach Johnedel Cardel a win in his very first game at the helm. Jemal Vizcarra pumped in 14 points off the bench but it was the all-around play of Ramsey Williams that cemented the Tigers’ victory.

Williams, whose mother hails from Ilocos Sur, scattered 13 points on top of five rebounds, six assists and two steals to frustrate the Warriors of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin Bonleon, who also made his coaching debut after taking over from Choy del Rosario who died earlier this year due to leukemia.

Despite a big size disadvantage, the Warriors hung tough and even outrebounded the bigger Tigers, 48-43. The Warriors also used their speed to have more fast break points, 12-4. In the end, their substitutes failed to sustain the momentum as the Tigers had more bench points, 43-25.

Alfie Grijaldo paced the Warriors with 17 points and six rebounds followed by Louie Medalla with 13 points and five rebounds. Christian Nicdao typified the Warriors control of the boards with a dozen rebounds on top of his eight markers.

In the opening game, defending champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos began its title retention bid on the right note by holding off the dangerous Laguna Golden Lions, 78-74.

Starting sluggishly, the Ninos of Michel Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba conceded the opening period, 15-19. They then settled down to grab the halftime lead, 39-33.

It was an all-M. Lhuillier show from there as they stretched their lead to as high as 21 points behind a full-team effort. With the outcome decided, the Golden Lions of Gov. ER Ejercito and Coach Nomar Isla slowly whittled the final deficit.

Big Frank Nailon powered the Ninos with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Jayford Rodriguez, returning to the team after more than a year’s absence due to injuries, backed up Nailon with 10 more points. Ricky Ricafuente led Laguna with a game-best 23 points followed by Glenn Bolocon with 14.