MVBA finals: Lhuilllier takes Game 1 vs MisOr, 76-75

Ronald Capati hit a three-point shot from top of the key with nine seconds left to lift defending champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala- Cebu City past Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr, 76-75, and win Game One of the 2007 Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Second Conference finals Wednesday evening at the Xavier University Gym. After that shot, both teams then called their final timeouts, according to a league statement. MisOr guard Anton Villoria drove strong to the hoop and with the defense collapsing on him passed the ball to an open Nat Cruz beneath the goal. But suddenly, Marlon Basco came from nowhere to block Cruz's twisting shot to preserve the win. M. Lhuillier averted another late game collapse. Erecting their biggest lead, 72-62, with still five minutes to play, M. Lhuillier allowed MisOr to unload 13 unanswered points, capped by back-to-back baskets by Cruz with 1:44 left and MisOr ahead, 75-72. Woodrow Enriquez managed to eke in a free throw at the 1:33 mark to close in, 73-75. A failed MisOr offensive led to Capati's game-winning heroics. Game Two of the series is scheduled for Friday at the New Cebu Coliseum with coach Raul Alcoseba gunning for their third MVBA championship in four conferences. Bruce Dacia led M. Lhuillier with 16 points followed by Enriquez with 14. Cruz paced MisOr with 20 followed by Villoria with 18. MisOr sorely missed the services of Mindanao MVP Lowell Briones who sat out the game with a fever. MisOr of coach Bong Abad has a tough but attainable task ahead of them. Meeting in last year's Second Conference finals, MisOr stole Game Two in Cebu , 96-84, after losing Game One at XU, 87-75. M. Lhuillier however hung on to claim Game Three and the championship, 79-71. Scores M. Lhuillier-Cebu (76): Dacia 16, Enriquez 14, Gatumbato 10, Capati 9, Padilla 8, Cavan 8, Basco 4, Rodriguez 3, Caputolan 2, Latonio 2, Aying 0, Bat-og 0 Holcim Pryce-Misor (75): Cruz 20, Villoria 18, Tagupa 11, Moreño 10, Abadia 7, Nailon 7, Sevilla 2, Apepe 0, Concha 0, Numeran 0, Sanchez 0, Jabagat 0. Quarters: 22-20, 42-36, 59-52, 76-75

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