MVBA: Jewelers crush Pacquiao's Warriors

Defending champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City demolished the MP Warriors-GenSan, 83-66, on Tuesday night in the 2007 Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Second Conference at the New Cebu Coliseum in Mandaue City. The game was a rematch of sorts – but also a repeat the first conference finals in 2006. The M. Lhuillier Jewelers, a team owned by Michel Lhuillier and coached by Raul Alcoseba, reasserted their mastery over the Warriors of boxing idol Manny Pacquiao and coach Ramon Pido, the league said in a statement on Wednesday, a day after the game. The Jewelers raced to a 15-8 lead by the end of the first quarter. Pacquiao arrived before the start of the second quarter, but not even he could inspire the Warriors. The Jewelers continued to pull away, setting the score at 35-21 by halftime. Then the floodgates burst open: Jayford Rodriguez, with help from Ron Capati and Jett Latonio ignited a 14-2 blast to wind up the third quarter, 68-35. Lou Gatumbato sank two triples early in the final quarter to push the Jewelers to their biggest lead, 74-37. From there, the Jewelers coasted to the win, allowing Louie Medalla and Rolly Menor to trim the Warriors' deficit to a more respectable level. M. Lhuillier and Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue, which both notched wins over the Warriors, will face each other on Friday at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex starting at 5:30 pm. Scores M. Lhuillier-Cebu (83): Rodriguez 12, Aying 9, Gatumbato 8, Basco 8, Capati 8, Dacia 8, Padilla 6, Caputolan 6, Latonio 6, Enriquez 5, Cavan 5, Piodo 2 MP Warriors-GenSan (66): Menor 19, Daja 11, Medalla 10, Coronado 6, Callo 5, Ramos 5, Locsin 5, Tadena 3, Recustodio 2, Rubi 0, Deligero 0, Farochillen 0. Quarters (M. Lhuillier-MP Warriors): 15-8, 35-21, 68-35, 83-66

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