Cebu, Ilocos arrange title showdown in Liga North
STO. DOMINGO, Ilocos Sur — Cebu and host Ilocos Sur set the stage for a championship showdown in the northern leg of the Liga Pilipinas Tour by beating separate semifinal rivals at the People’s Coliseum here.
The Niños of Cebu (3-1) clobbered the Taguig Batang Global, 117-94, while the Bravehearts of Ilocos (3-1) edged the Quezon Red Oilers, 81-79.
Over at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro, Pagadian and Baguio pulled off stirring upsets to arrange a title clash in the southern leg.
The Explorers of Pagadian, led by Mark Yee, shocked host and previously unbeaten Misamis Oriental, 63-59, while the Victory of Baguio stunned the Trace Laguna Stallions, 104-95.
Ex-pro Stephen Padilla led Cebu with 24 points, including six three-point shots. Bruce Dacia added 19 and Ian Saladaga 16 points.
The Niños broke away in the second quarter after trailing 22-26 at the end of the first period. They outscored the Batang Global, 31-19, in the final canto.
In the other game, Gilbert Malabanan scored 19 points, including the game-winner just before time expired, to lift the Bravehearts past the Red Oilers and into the title match.
The winner of the final will be awarded 10 points going to the playoffs. Five points will go to the runnerup, and three points to the third-placer.
1st Game (Northern leg)
Ilocos 81 — Malabanan 19, Cabatu 13, Basilides 12, Kalaw 11, Lopez 7, Saldua 6, Hugnatan 6, Guiyab 4, Castro 2, Balares 1, Reyes 0, Prado 0, Codamon 0.
Quezon 79 — Casino 0, Mendoza 0, Panzo 7, Garrido 7, Chua 0, Canizares 7, Manabat 1, Oabel 0, Lingao Lingao 8, Alcala 0, Mondragon 7, Bolado 0, Macanig 14, Williams 28
Quarters: 22-18; 41-36; 66-64; 81-79
Second Game
Cebu 117 — Padilla 24, Dacia 19, Saladaga 16, Basco 12, , Rodriguez 11, Ababon 11, Capati 9, Aying 8, Cavan 4, Mepana 3, Atablanco 0, Berami 0 Luga 0.
Taguig 94 — Javier 16, Marquez 13, Gatumbato 13, Reguerra 11, Bautista 10, Ortiguerra 8, Fajardo 6, Rodriguez 5, Latoreno 4, Matias 3, Bombeo 2, Vijandre 3, De Leon 0, Ripalda 0,
Quarters: 22-26; 52-48; 86-75; 117-94
First Game (Southern leg)
Baguio 104 — Sta. Maria 20, Mangahas 18, White 18, Al Gamboa 17, Tiongson 10, Pupos 7, Basto 5, Calimag 3, Ton 3, Ar. Gamboa 2, Cariño 1, Lujero 0.
Laguna 95 — Gaco 31, Retaga 18, Angeles 17, Santos 17, Ricafuente 5, Dedicatoria 3, Roldan 0, Valderama 0, Raymundo 0.
Quarters: 20-18; 42-45; 70-69; 104-95.
Second Game
Pagadian 63 — Yee 15, Quilo 12, Labagala 9, Orquillas 9, Daja 9, Kong 4, Villaver 3, Sinco 2, Musni 0, Saludsod 0, Singedas 0.
Misamis Oriental 59 — Paterno 14, Concha 13, Tadena 7, Nailon 6, Farochilen 6, Tagupa 5, Caputolan 4, Saguindel 2, Zagala 2, de la Cuesta 0, Faundo 0.
Quarters: 14-12; 29-31; 50-43; 63-59.