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| Taguig crushes Laguna, wins TOP's 9th leg (08/08/2010) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y-clinched twice-to-beat advantage in quarterfinals Host Hobe Bihon-Taguig City came through with a torrent of long bombs in the final half to crush Treston-Laguna, 96-74, and rule the 9th and final leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) yesterday at the Cong. Jun Duenas gym in Signal Village, Taguig City. Cheered on by its supporters, the host squad knocked down 10 triples in the last two quarters, including an impressive 6-of-7 shooting in the third, to turn what was expected to be a close contest into a rout and capture its second leg crown in the tournament jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas. Veteran guard Eric dela Cuesta had two treys in that stretch while Lou Gatumbato, Jeff Sanders, Christian Coronel and Jeff Tajonera had one each to highlight their vicious 18-1 salvo that enabled them to exact sweet revenge over the Stallions in their rugged match. Owned by Mayor Laarni Cayetano, Taguig finished with 14-of-26 shooting from the rainbow territory that helped them become the third team to win at least two leg titles – M. Lhuillier-Cebu (3), Cobra Energy Drink (2) With their win, the squad of coach Bing Victoria jumped to No. 3 at the end of 9-week elimination series with 29 points. Cebu topped the elims with 49 followed by Misamis Oriental with 39. Earlier, Ani-FCA finished third by downing Mandaue, 99-83. Luis Palaganas had 16 points and four rebounds to lead a well-balanced attack of the Cultivators who used a torrid start to reaffirm their mastery over the Landmasters. Center Ariel de Castro led Taguig with 17 points and six rebounds while Jemal Vizcarra and Sanders had 15 points. Gatumbato, the leg's Most Valuable Player, and dela Cuesta chipped in 12 and 11 points, apiece. Despite their loss, Laguna still secured a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals after dislodging Cobra for the No. 4 spot with 28 points, one point better than the Ironmen. Jopher Custodio and Roel Hugnatan added 12 points apiece as the Cultivators secured four points for a total of 16 in their four stints in the nine-leg series. They will meet Misamis Oriental in the quarterfinals in Cagayan de Oro City with the Meteors holding a twice-to-beat advantage. The scores: First Game ANI-FCA 99 - Palaganas 16, Hugnatan 12, Custodio 12, Luanzon 11, Husted 9, Serios 8, Saguindel 8, Dizon 7, Mirza 5, Bautista 4, Sena 4, Cagoco 3, Arao 0, Te 0 MANDAUE 83 - Villaver 22, Latonio 21, Gerilla 15, Magdadaro 9, Bucao 5, Reyes 4, Alcaraz 2, Tangararong 2, Magpayo 2, Zanoria 1, Dennison 0, Laygo 0. Quarters: 20-13; 52-34; 79-55; 99-83. Second Game HOBE-TAGUIG 96 - de Castro 17, Vizcarra 15, Sanders 15, Gatumbato 12, dela Cuesta 11, Coronel 10, Tajonera 6, Lim 4, Guiyab 2, Sta Cruz 2, Cacha 2. TRESTON LAGUNA 74 - Ricafuente 16, Bolocon 14, Musni 12, Mercado 9, Legaspi 8, Losentes 5, Musni 5, Mangahas 3, Aquino 2, Angeles 0, Glorioso 0, Grijaldo 0. Quarters: 15-16; 41-34; 73-55; 96-74.
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