Landmasters reign in Mindanao

There is no stopping the Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue in taking the overall leadership as it picked its second win in Mindanao following an 87-60 drubbing over Goldstar Hardware-Dutere Agilas in the 2007 MVBA Second Conference last Friday at the Almendras Gym in Davao City.

After a brief exchange of baskets in the opening minutes of the game, the Landmasters pulled away from a 7-all deadlock for good with a 12-4 run to close the first quarter with a 19-11 lead.

The Agilas scored the first basket of the second period only to meet another blistering 18-0 run capped by Aries Gloria’s two triples, as the Cebuanos closed the first half with a 48-30 lead.

After Jimwell Torion sank two free throws to give the Landmasters the biggest lead 63-31, the Agilas came back with a 13-1 to narrow the deficit to 20.

That was the best that the Agilas could put up against the strong Landmasters as Bong Marata led an 11-3 rally to totally squash any resistance left from the Davao City-based squad.

However, the victory did not come unscathed for the Land-masters as they lost swingman Richard Ian Saladaga to an injury. Saladaga acquitted a nasty cut in his eye in the opening quarter and did not play the rest of the game.

Saladaga is a doubtful starter when the Landmasters play its final Mindanao game today against the First conference champions Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro City.

The sweet-shooting Aldrin Ocañada topped the Landmasters with 18 markers, while Marata added 13. Mike Mañigo and Mark Yee also finished with 11 points each. Ilanga, on the other hand, was the lone Agila to score in double digit with 15.

Cebu Landmaster (87) – Ocanada 18, Marata 13, Manigo 11, Yee 11, Nicdao 8, Gloria 7, Santa Cruz 7, Torion 4, Mangubat 4, Montalbo 2, Saladaga 2.
Duterte Agilas (60) – Ilanga 15, Te 8, Delica 8, Delfin 6, Gonzaga 6, Berami 4, Saldua 4, Mejorada 4, Atablanco 3, Bajenting 2. Quarters: 19-11; 48-20; 64-44; 87-60. (RCM)