What was expected to be a relaxed game turned out to be a bloody one as the game between Misamis Oriental and M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala was halted because of a near riot in the 8th leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) Wednesday at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro City.

With the host way ahead, 66-44, and with only 28 ticks left, a skirmish broke out after Meteors forward Ronald Lamocha, in retaliation, swung at Cebu center Nat Cruz while they were heading to Meteors’ court.

Cruz chased Lamocha who ran to the Meteors bench and engaged him in a fistfight that also saw Cebu’s Hafer Mondragon and Misamis Oriental’s Kris Lucernas joining the fray.

The scene turned uglier when Meteors reserve player Wellan Munos, who was in street clothes, also threw a punch at Cruz while some home fans started throwing mineral waters at the Cebu players.

When the smoke finally cleared – thanks to the intervention of technical director Perry Martinez – Cruz was brought to a nearby hospital to treat his cuts in his nape. He also ended up with a swollen eye.

The remainder of the game clock was not played as Cebu coach Raul Alcoseba conceded the game to the Meteors to protect his players from further harm.

Cebu has threatened not to show up for the finals game (Thursday) after the incident but Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno gave his assurance that it will not happen again.

Lamocha apparently gave Cruz an elbow after he was hit twice in the head in a rebound scramble earlier.

“It was an unfortunate incident that this thing happened. We will make sure a tighter security will be put in place and this will not happen anymore,” said Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno who was not at the venue due to prior commitment.

League officials are meeting at press time to discus probable actions to the players involved.

The game was physical from the start that a total of 42 fouls were slapped on both teams.

However, it was Misamis’ defense the made the difference as for the first time no player from Cebu scored in double figures. They were held to just 26 percent (16-of 57), including a 2 of 18 from the 3-point line.

“We really came prepared for their outside shooting at hindi nila na-solve itong depensang ginawa namin. It was just pity that the game ended this way,” said MisOr coach Jun Noel.

Behemoth Mark Andaya anchored the team’s defense as he had a tournament high 8 swats while Neil Raneses, Eder Saldua and Mark Moreno combined for 36 points to lead their offense.

Ascof Lagundi ended a two-game losing streak with an 81-72 victory over Hobe Bihon-Taguig in the first game.

Vic Manuel dish out his best game so far with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and he fired six in a 13-0 run to turn a 58-65 deficit into a 71-65 lead with five minutes to go in the final period.

The scores

First Game

Ascof Lagundi 81 – Manuel 19, Smith 13, Labagala 11, Co 10, Canlas 8, Aguilar 6, Uyloan 6, Mangahas 4, Asoro 3, Gamalinda 1, Lanete 0.

Hobe Taguig 72 – Fernandez 14, Marquez 11, De Castro 11, Lim 7, Sanders 7, Guiyab 6, Tajonera 6, Cacha 4, Dela Cuesta 4, Vizcarra 2, Gatumbato 0.

Quarters: 19-18, 32-43, 58-63, 81-72.

Second Game

MisOr 66 – Raneses 14, Moreno 11, Saldua 11, Andaya 6, Cabahug 5, Daa 5, Misa 4, Taganas 4, Tagupa 3, Lamocha 3, Morial 0, Butel 0, Lucernas 0.

MLKP Cebu 44 – Magsumbol 8, Ybanez 6, Padilla 6, Cruz 6, Mepana 5, Dacia 4, Basco 4, Saladaga 3, Ababon 2, Mondragon 0, Poligrates 0, Santos 0.

Quarters:15-10, 28-26, 44-35, 66-44.