Host Misamis Oriental needed just one quarter to heat up as the Meteors clobbered the Ascof Lagundi Cough Busters, 94-70, at the start of the 8th leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) Monday at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro City.

After a tight first quarter performance, the Meteors of Gov. Oscar Moreno uncorked a vicious 20-0 run that gave them a commanding 52-31 halftime lead which they valiantly protected to jumpstart their bid for a second leg title in the tournament jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League and Liga Pilipinas.
“This is our homecourt and we didn’t want to let the crowd down. All the players are really inspired to play,” said Meteors coach Jun Noel.

Neil Raneses had 16 points and 11 boards to lead the team’s well-balanced attack as the Meteors underscored their fierce desire to rule the stage considered as the strongest in the 9-leg series.

The Meteors were so unforgiving they padded their lead to 35 points, 74-39, late the in the third period to the cheers of the crowd. Typifying Misamis’ dominance was their 50-33 lead in the rebounding department and 72-48 advantage in the inside points.

Not to be outdone, MLKP-Cebu also got off to a big start by outlasting Hobe Bihon-Taguig City, 82-77.

Warren Ybanez struck hardest for the Niños, drilling seven of his nine points in the payoff period and had a crucial steal off a driving Jemal Vizcarra.

Four other Misamis Oriental players scored in double figures with veterans Elder Saldua and Patrick Cabahug scoring 10 points each.

The scores

First Game

Cebu 82 – Padilla 15, Basco13, Ababon 11, Ybanez 9, Dacia 9, Saladaga 7, Santos 6, Cruz 6, Mepana 6, Magsumbol 0.

Taguig 77 – Vizcarra 16, Dela Cuesta 12, Gatumbato 11, Sanders 10, De Castro 8, Sta. Cruz 6, Guiyab 6, Cuan 3, Fernandez 2, Reguera 2, Tajonera 1, Cacha 0, Marquez 0, Lim 0.

Quarters: 18-13, 43-38, 64-59, 82-77.

Second Game

Misamis Oriental 94 – Raneses 16, Lamocha 15, Moreno 12, Cabahug 10, Saldua 10, Daa 8, Andaya 6, Taganas 6, Morial 4, Lucernas 3, Misa 2, Tagupa 2.

Ascof Lagundi 70 – Asoro 12, Co 11, Labagala 8, Uyloan 7, Mangahas 7, Taylor 5, Maliksi 5, Aguilar 5, Gamalinda 4, Smith 3, Lanete 2, Leynes 1, Canlas 0, Manuel 0.

Quarters: 19-18, 52-31, 76-47, 94-70