Cebu nips MisOr to even TOP title series

Cebu came through with a solid defensive effort to eke out a vengeful 78-75 win over Misamis Oriental in Game 2 of their best-of-five title showdown in the Tournament of the Philippines on Wednesday night at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City. The Niños, correcting their mistakes in a 90-87 Game 1 loss, came through with a solid defensive effort in the payoff period to avoid a 0-2 hole with the series shifting to the homecourt of the Meteors. MisOr will have two chances of clinching the first-ever championship in the tournament jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas with Games 3 and 4 scheduled in Cagayan de Oro City. Game 5, if necessary, will be held in Cebu on September 13. Mark Magsumbol typified Cebu's tough defensive stand when he tapped the ball away from the hands of a driving Reed Juntilla. Niños new recruit Froilan Baguion got the ball and was immediately fouled by Khiel Misa. The former National University Bulldog sank both free throws for a 69-63 tally. The Meteors, however, refused to give up that easily and engaged the Niños in a fierce exchange of baskets. MisOr even had the chance to tie game after Stephen Padilla sank one of his two free throws, 77-75, with barely 22 ticks left. But Cebu's defense proved too tough to penetrate forcing Misamis forward Neil Raneses to miss an open jumper after being forced out of his comfort zone. In the next play, Bruce Dacia, one of Cebu's several ex-pros, split his free throws giving Misamis another chance to tie the game. But once again, Cebu's defense prevented MisOr to put up a decent attempt with Patrick Cabahug missing an awkward three-point shot as time expired. Nat Cruz led Cebu's balanced attack with 14 points while Magsumbol and Dacia added 12 and 11 markers each. Cabahug was the lone Misamis player to score in double digits with 19 spiked by four triples. Juntilla and Raneses, after exploding for 19 and 17 points apiece in the Meteors’ Game 1 win, was held to a combined 14 markers. – JVP, GMANews.TV