Padilla leads MLKP over Arthro, 80-69

THE M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City withered the energetic third quarter run of the Arhthro Kontra Arthritis squad to formally close its first- round campaign following an 80-69 victory in the ongoing 2007 MVBA Second Conference action at the Cebu Coliseum last night.

After a hot first quarter, the Jewelers found themselves in offensive trouble as the Kontra Arthritis started to find its rhythm behind the heroics of Alex Cainglet.

From a 36-18 lead early in the second quarter, the Jewelers found themselves struggling as Arthro imposed a tough defensive pattern to limit the multi-titled squad to just eight points in the second 10 minutes of action.

Defense

Arthro kept on pounding on the defense of the Jewelers resulting to an 18-4 run to start the fourth quarter with a 57-all tally.

The Kontra Arthritis squad was highly motivated in the early part of the fourth as it gave the Jewelers a tough time despite the triples by Woodrow Enriquez and Bruce Dacia.

However, the game slowly slipped out of the hands of Arthtro when it committed several mistakes including a wide open layup of Ronaldo Bucao that should have tied the game for the third time at 64.

With Arthro on a scoring drought, M. Lhuillier started to pull away and Stephen Padilla nailed a booming trey at the 3:33 mark and the game was never the same for the Kontra Arthritis team from thereon.

Padilla topscored with 24 points for the Jewelers, including seven triples while Alex Cainglet, who led the mighty third quarter run for Arthro, tallied 19.
Meanwhile, the Cebu Landmasters-Mandaue will play the Goldstar Hardware-Duterte Agilas at the Almendras Gym in the second game in its Mindanao swing today. RCM

The Landmasters were up against the tough MP Warriors-GenSan at Digos City Gym in Digos, Davao del Sur at press time.

M. Lhuillier (80) – Padilla 24, Dacia 17, Basco 12, Caputolan 10, Enriquez 9, Gatumbato 5, Capati 3.
Arthro (69) – Cainglet 19, Bucao 16, Almacin 11, France 7, Omandam 7, Ursal 4, Mercado 2, Garcia 2, Justiniani 1.
Quarters: 33-17; 41-32; 57-57; 80-69. (RCM)