MVBA: Warriors earn 1st win vs Jewelers, 86-70

The MP Warriors-GenSan scored their first win over M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala, 86-70, in the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Saturday (September 29) at the Digos City Stadium in Davao del Sur. According to an MVBA statement on Sunday, the Warriors of boxing idol Manny Pacquiao and coach Ramon Pido pounced on a visibly fatigued M. Lhuillier side in the second half. The Warriors blanked the Jewelers from the field in the last 5:23 while unloading 12 points, eight coming from Erian Daja and four from Rolly Menor. The best the Jewelers could do was to sink three free throws. M. Lhuillier entered the game barely rested from an eight-hour land trip from Cagayan de Oro City where they defeated Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr in overtime the previous night, 81-76. Ronald Capati gave M. Lhuillier its last taste of the lead, 51-50, midway through the third period. Daja answered with four straight points and the Warriors never looked back, 54-51. Despite the trip, the Jewelers still looked sharp in the first half as coach Raul Alcoseba shuffled his players in order to keep fresh legs on the floor. Behind the good plays of Bruce Dacia and Gerry Cavan, M. Lhuillier led at halftime, 42-40. Both teams leveled their win-loss cards a 2-2 in the league. M. Lhuillier was battling the debuting Duterte Davao Agilas as of this posting last night at the Almendras Gym in Davao City. After the Jewelers, it will be the turn of Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue to take a tour of Mindanao starting Thursday (October 4) when they visit the Warriors. Daja led the Warriors with 18 points and nine rebounds while Menor added 16. Donald Tadena tallied nine of his 12 points in the first period. Dacia paced M. Lhuillier with 16 points, all coming in the second period. Capati followed with 12. Scores MP Warriors-GenSan (86): Daja 18, Menor 16, Tadena 12, Lagare 9, Medalla 8, Callo 7, Ramos 7, Rubi 3, Farochillen 3, Coronado 3, Locsin 0 M. Lhuillier-Cebu (70): Dacia 16, Capati 12, Aying 9, Cavan 9, Basco 8, Latonio 5, Rodriguez 4, Padilla 3, Gatumbato 2, Caputolan 2, Enriquez 0, Piodo 0 Quarter scores: 23-20, 41-42, 64-56, 86-70

- GMANews.TV