Games Today
(Emilio Aguinaldo College gym)
1:30 p.m. — Treston-Laguna vs Ani-FCA (3rd place)
3:30 p.m. — M. Lhuillier Cebu vs Ascof Lagundi (Championship)

M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu completed a three-game sweep of the elimination round with an emphatic 87-73 win over Ascof Lagundi in the first leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

But their smashing win – their 24th straight since winning 21 in sweeping the Liga Conference III last year – will just go down the drain if they the Niños fail to lift the championship trophy tomorrow.

The Niños and the Cough Busters, who finished 1-2 in the short elimination round, dispute the championship today at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym starting at 3:30 p.m.

Though it was Stephen Padilla who topscored for the Niños for the third straight time, it was Bruce Dacia who made the difference, stringing up 10 straight points in the payoff period to help put the game beyond recall.

Cebu coach Yayoy Alcoseba was not worried whether Ascof Lagundi is hiding “something” in time for today’s title clash, saying: “Dito kasi sa game na ito nagkaalaman na kami ng laro.”

But Alcoseba expects a new Ascof Lagundi to show up today in the event backed by Air21, Molten, Ascof Lagundi, Agrinurture, Treston College, Burlington and Basketball TV. Ascof finished the elims with a 2-1 record.

“It’s going to be much tougher,” Alcoseba added.

Games will be aired on a delayed basis on BTV.

For sweeping the elims, Cebu gained a two-point bonus and will get an additional 10 points provided it beats the Pascual Laboratories franchise for the second straight day.

Padilla logged 17 markers while Dacia added 14.

In the first game, Treston Laguna leaned on the heroics of former pro Robert Sanz to beat Ani-FCA, 95-93, for its first win in three games.

Sanz broke a 93-all count when he threw an awkward runner off the outstretched arms of Christian Luanzon to help the Stallions register their first win in three games.

The victory also gave Laguna enough momentum heading into their return clash with the Cultivators today at the Emilio Aguinaldo College with the leg's third place trophy at stake.

"At least we were able to get the win. We'll try to take third place to gain more points," said coach Nomar Isla.

The scores:

First Game

TRESTON LAGUNA 95 - Losentes 21, Mercado 17, Mangahas 16, Sanz 9, Musni 9, Grijaldo 7, Angeles 7, Capati 4, Legaspi 3, Gloriosa 2, Ricafuerte 0, Antonio 0.

ANI-FCA 93 - Hugnatan 18, Luanzon 17, Bautista 12, Sena 10, Mirza 10, Custodio 7, Arao 7, Te 5, Dizon 4, Ong 3, Co 0.

Quarters: 15-26; 43-40; 73-68; 95-93.

Second Game

M. LHUILLIER CEBU 87 - Padilla 17, Dacia 15, Santos 13, Basco 10, Saladaga 10, Ybanez 7, Nailon 7, Magsumbol 6, Ababon 2, Cruz 0.

ASCOF LAGUNDI 73 - Aguilar 10, Leynes 9, Labagala 8, Canlas 8, Taylor 7, Gamalinda 6, Smith 6, Maliksi 5, Manuel 5, Lanete 3, Uyloan 3, Co 3, Asoro 0, Mangahas 0.

Quarters: 19-10; 47-42; 61-60; 87-73.