MCBL TEAMS

	Teams and Other Sponsors

Team Cebuana Lhuillier wins fifth straight, nears sweep of Division A elims

IT was a fitting welcome for PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies (PJLI) President and CEO as Jean Henri Lhuillier inspired the defending champions by scoring 9 points, all coming from the three-point arc, to help keep Team Cebuana Lhuillier on track for a possible sweep of the MPG Corporate Basketball League (MCBL) elimination round and gain the momentum going into the post-elimination round and post a 71-59 win over a stubborn Petron squad last June 12 at the Northeast Greenhills Association (NEGA) basketball gym.

Petron’s physical play and burly frontline failed to neutralize the Cebuana Lhuillier offense as the defending champions made a total of eight three-pointers and led by 28 points at the end of regulation. It was, however, a different story during the first three periods as the Petron big men fought tooth and nail by giving the Cebuana Lhuillier players a tough time underneath the basket.

“Jean Henri’s return really gave the team much confidence. He made three three-point shots, two assists, and a rebound. Toor’s outside shooting also helped open the middle,” Cebuana Lhuillier Head Coach Rhuel “Beaujing” Acot remarked. “Dikit ang laro until the third quarter. They even got the lead, but because of outside shots nag-click din opensa at depensa natin.”

“Sa tingin ko yung team defense talaga natin ang key para tayo manalo. Hirap kasi sila dahil sa trap natin the whole game,” Cebuana Lhuillier ace point guard Julian Bagares added.

Petron’s RC Fernandez and Owen Onate were monsters off the boards by grabbing 10 and seven respectively. Dave Ordiz and Fernandez also scored 10 points apiece to add to Erwin Ong’s 14 markers. But it was not enough to spoil the fun for the strong-willed defending champions whose relentless full-court pressure and trapping took the fight out of the challengers.

Cebuana Lhuillier controlled the tempo of the game by grabbing 43 rebounds against Petron’s 36 while the backcourt tandem of Bagares and Mark Trinidad kept Petron’s guards busy by making a combined eight steals to add to the teams total of 16 as opposed to Petron’s eight. Trinidad also led all scorers by scoring 14 while Most Valuable Player contender Alwin Elinon added 11 markers with six rebounds to spearhead a balanced offensive thrust that notched them their fifth straight win in as many outings.

The loss tied Petron with Nestle at fourth to contend for the last slot for the semi-finals where only four teams are going to advance. A win and a loss for either teams will finalize the final four cast.

Meanwhile, Team Cebuana Lhuillier gears up for its last assignment. A win against Shell on June 19 will catapult the defending champions to the top spot going into their qualifying match against the second-seeded squad.

The scores:

Cebuana Lhuillier – 79
Trinidad 14, Elinon 11, Lhuillier 9, Bagares 9, Toor 6, Hostellero 6, Bernaldo 4, Jaluag 4, Lapiz 4, Alicante 3, Ebarle 2, Olaya 2, Braña 2, Baldeo 2, Ramos 1, Precilla 0, Barut 0, Nerecina 0.

Petron – 51
Ong 14, Fernandez 10, Ordiz 10, Luna 8, Onate 4, Mercadillo 3, Huang 2, Cortez 0, Lopez 0, Utzurrum 0.

Cebuana Lhuillier wallops Nestle; keeps unblemished record

FORMER Most Valuable Player Jaycee Bernaldo proved to everyone that he still has lots of bullets to fire as he led the Cebuana Lhuillier squad in giving the Nestle quintet a beating by firing 14 points, grabbing three rebounds and a steal to give the defending champions their fourth straight win via a 82-57 decision last June 5 at the Northeast Greenhills basketball gym.

It was Cebuana Lhuillier from the opening tip off to the final buzzer as Bhenjar Toor, John Leigh Ebarle and Julian Bagares each chipped in 11, 10, and eight points, respectively, to keep the streak-shooting Nestle five at bay when they tried to rally late in the third quarter. Despite playing limited minutes, top guns Alwin Elinon and Mark Trinidad provided the defensive lift early in the first and second quarters to establish the tempo of the game. The team also played a balanced offense as they rotated the ball to allow 12 players to score.

During the break, Assistant Coach Brian Beran reminded the players to keep on executing the plays even if they were enjoying a 20-point bulge so they can prepare for the semi-finals. “You have to expect that the semi-finals would be more difficult since all the teams will be after us,” Beran reminded the team. “You have to execute well because that will be the key to winning the game even if the opponents are better players individually.”

Cebuana Lhuillier needs to win one more game to get a semi-finals berth with a twice-to-beat advantage. The defending champions may also get into the finals right away by sweeping their last two assignments including the classification match versus the second-seeded squad..

“The good thing about the team is that everybody can shoot. You just need to execute the plays to have a chance to win,” Beran noted.

________________________________________________________________________

Scores:

Cebuana Lhuillier – 82

Bernaldo 14, Toor 11, Ebarle 10, Bagares 8, Elinon 8, Hostellero 8, Trinidad 6, Barut 4, Lapiz 4, Precilla 4, Olaya 3, Ramos 2, Jaluag 0, Alicante 0, Baldeo 0, Braña 0, Nerecina 0.

Nestle – A – 57

Doligosa 16, Cercado 12, Castillo 9. Ting 9, Legisma 4, Del Pilar 3, Bozar 2, Ang 2, Serquina 0.

Cebuana Lhuillier five outlasts gritty Nougat squad
by Bhenjar Toor

MPG Corporate Basketball League (MCBL) Defending Champion Cebuana Lhuillier lived up to expectations as it clobbered its nemesis, Nougat, in a game that saw technical fouls being called and four lead changes in the third and fourth period that was eventually won, 77-69, by the former last May 22 at the Northeast Greenhills Basketball Gym. .

Nougat, which did not participate in the last conference ruled by Cebuana Lhuillier, was a shadow of their old form which earned them the championship in the MCBL 2009 First Conference as Cebuana Lhuillier’s Alwin Elinon, Mark Trinidad and Mark Braña led a searing inside and outside attack of the equally formidable Nougat frontline. Coincidentally, it was the same Nougat squad that blew the MCBL 2009 Second Conference champions from the semi-finals.

Elinon, Trinidad, and Braña each chipped in 21, 14 and 13 points, respectively as the defending champions also controlled the boards by grabbing 26 rebounds against Nougat’s 21. Fielding only seven players took its toll on the former champions in contrast to the Cebuana Lhuillier game plan which saw all of its players seeing action by unfurling a searing full court pressure on the Nougat guards.

Nougat’s Kelwin Ang, a former UST Tiger cubs standout and team captain which won championships in the UAAP Juniors Division in the late 90’s, tried to lead his team and take control of the fourth quarter by scoring back-to-back three point shots as Antonio Sy tried to carry the scoring load earlier by chipping in 20 markers. Completely outran and out-rebounded, the Nougat quintet succumbed to the offensive blitzkrieg and full court pressure from the Cebuana Lhuillier guards.

It was actually a close game during the first half with Nougat firing early in the first quarter to take the lead in the opener. But the Cebuana Lhuillier five recovered in the second quarter to close the first half, 39 – 36.

With the defending champions drawing first blood in the elimination round, Assistant Coach Brian Beran remains cautious of Nougat since they managed to keep the game close despite fielding only seven players.

“The team needs to work on its agility and endurance and everybody needs to play their roles if we want to sweep the elimination,” the fiery assistant to Head Coach Rhuel “Beaujing” Acot remarked. “Right now, we are having difficulty running our plays and it is really surprising to see the game so close most of the way when we kept on running to tire them out.”

Cebuana Lhuillier will next face Nestle in a bid to solidify its hold on the number one spot.

Scores:

Cebuana Lhuillier – 77 - Elinon 21, Trinidad 14, Braña 13, Bagares 9, Ebarle 7, Hostellero 4, Ramos 3, Bernaldo 2, Lapiz 2, Barut 2, Toor 0, Precilla 0, Baldeo 0, Alicante 0, Nerecina 0, Amoncio 0, Jaluag 0, Olaya 0,

Nougat – 69 - A. Sy 20, Chun 13, Ang 11, H. Tiu 10, Ongpin 9, M. Sy 6, D. Tiu 0

Cebuana Lhuillier snatches 2nd win; gets ready for showdown with old nemesis
by Bhenjar Toor

IN what could be a rematch of the 2009 MCBL first conference semifinals, Cebuana Lhuillier poises for yet another showdown with old nemesis Nougat, which eliminated them in the 2009 MCBL First Conference before emerging as the champion in the next conference by systematically beating a gritty Emerson squad, 73-65, last May 15 at the Northeast Greenhills (NEGA) Basketball Gym to score their second straight win.

Emerson’s prolific scoring gave the Cebuana Lhuillier quintet a real challenge as the defending champions struggled to keep the former at bay. Jason Jensen and Marlon Cruz connived to sink seven triples to keep the game close and scored 24 and 13 respectively, backstopped by Carlo Guzman’s 14 markers.

But Cebuana Lhuillier’s veteran backcourt tandem of Julian Bagares and Mark Trinidad recalled their old form to ensure the win, highlighted by two alley-hoop passes despite the tight defensive job being done by Emerson. Alwin Elinon top-scored for the defending champions with his deadly three-point shooting and jumpshots to get away with 23 points with Harold Hostellero manning the shaded lane and scoring 15 markers. Trinidad scored 17 while Bagares issued five assists to lead the Cebuana Lhuillier offense.

Meanwhile, Cebuana Lhuillier head coach Rhuel “Beaujing” Acot reminded his players that if they want to defend the title, they will have to make sure that everybody will contribute to come out with a balanced attack. He also emphasized that it would be the same for defense. Cebuana Lhuillier, coincidentally, relies on the full-court pressure to force turnovers and on their running game for their offense.

Cebuana Lhuillier will have their hands full as they get ready to face old nemesis Nougat in their next game. Nougat is also undefeated in the tourney.

Scores

Cebuana Lhuillier – 73
Elinon 23, Trinidad 17, Hostellero 15, Braña 7, Ebarle 4, Bernaldo 2, Bagares 2, Olaya 2, Nerecina 1, Barut 0, Toor 0, Baldeo 0, Alicante 0, Jaluag 0.

Emerson – 65
Cruz 24, Guzman 14, Jensen 13, Tuano 4, Bancud 4, Javier 4, Estudillo 2, Campo Jr. 0, Guape 0, Magno 0, Madera 0, Borra 0, Molina 0.

Cebuana Lhuillier out to retain MCBL title; beats 7-Eleven in opening game
by Bhenjar Toor

BUCKING the loss of last conference’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Defensive Player awardee Jerry Vi Glorioso and hotshots Robbie Celiz and Lee Denice Villamor, MCBL Division A defending champion Cebuana Lhuillier anchored its offense on the players’ balanced scoring and scorching defense to repulse comebacking 7-Eleven, 81-74, last May 8 at the Reyes Gym to gain a spot among opening day winners of the Metro- Corporate Basketball League (MCBL) 2010 First Conference.

The team, which includes Cebuana Lhuillier playing CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier as one of the power forwards, had a good start early on in the game. The veterans, led by lanky center Darius Barut, jumped the gun on the 7-Eleven quintet to take the game away as early as the opening buzzer to surge on to a 16-point lead to close the first half, 43-27.

Barut and Bhenjar Toor scored 10 points apiece to lead Cebuana Lhuillier’s offense with Michael Nerecina and Melchor Jaluag chipping in eight points each in an all-around effort that gave the defending champions enough cushion to foil a late rally by the 7-Eleven squad whose main men, June Cabrera and John Serdan, scattered 23 and 16 points, respectively.

However, it was a close battle off the boards, with Cebuana Lhuillier grabbing 40 rebounds against 7-Eleven’s 37. Cebuana Lhuillier’s Barut, Niño Baldeo, Harold Hostellero, Mark Braña and Ulysses Lapiz took turns manning the shaded lane to shut down 7-Eleven’s inside game.

Head Coach Rhuel “Beaujing” Acot congratulated the players for their effort, but reminded them that the tougher games are still ahead of them. “I’m happy with the way the boys played,” Acot remarked. “But the real test would be when we meet the much stronger teams. This is just our first win. We have more games to fight and win.”

SCORES:

Cebuana Lhuillier - 81
Barut 10, Toor 10, Nerecina 8, Jaluag 8, Baldeo 6, Bernaldo 6, Precilla 6, Amoncio 6, Trinidad 6, Alicante 5, Ebarle 4, Hostellero 2, Braña 2, Lapiz 2.

7-Eleven - 74
Cabrera 23, Serdan 16, M. Cruz 13, J. Cruz 12, Degamo 6, Javier 2, Anzures 2.