Cobra denies Lhuillier-Cebu another crown

07/25/2010

Cobra Energy Drink caught M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala in its worst form to score a surprising 81-63 win and rule the seventh leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (ToP) yesterday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym in Manila.

Despite playing without head coach Lawrence Chongson, the Ironmen played almost flawless basketball, especially in the payoff period where they rattled their rivals with their air-tight defense.

“This is a sweet revenge because we lost by huge margin in the elims,” said Joel Palapal who called the shots for the Ironmen in the absence of Chongson who is also handling the University of the East in the UAAP.

Former UE star forward Parri Llagas came off the bench to led the Ironmen with 24 points, 12 of them in the payoff period where he knocked down two booming triples that somehow rubbed salt on the wounds of the Niños.

It was the second leg title for Cobra, which also ruled the Gensan stage of the nine-leg series.

In the first game, Jopher Custodio delivered a double-double performance to lead ANI-FCA to an 82-73 victory over MP Gensan as the Cultivators finished third.

The Niños, who won the 1st and 6th legs, shot poorly from the field, making only 22 of 66 tries, including 3-of-20 from the 3-point zone.

Former pro Stephen Padilla typified Cebu’s dismal shooting as he made only four points after missing all his six tries from the trifectaville.

Aside from scoring a revenge, the Ironmen also denied the Niños to become the first team in the league to win back-to-back leg titles in the tournament

jointly sponsored by the Philippine Basketball League and Liga Pilipinas.

Also shining for Cobra were spitfire Rudy Linganay and pro-bound Val Acuna who

finished with 12 and 10 markers, respectively.

Custodio tallied five triples to finish with 20 points aside from grabbing 10

boards in his best game so far in the tournament.

He was ably supported by Roel Hugnatan and Earn Saguindel who chipped in 15 and

14 points respectively.

The Cultivators led by 21 at halftime before stretching it to 57-27 midway in

the third to practically settle the issue. Custudio had six straight points in

that stretch.

It was a disappointing showing for the Warriors, who just two days ago made

headlines after ending Cebu’s 30-game winning run that dated back in last

year’s Liga Pilipinas’ Third Conference.

“We are a young team and our goal is to gain experience as we head into the

playoffs,” said Ani-FCA coach Arsenio Dysangco.

“We still have one more leg to compete in Taguig and I hope we can make it back

to the Finals,” added the mentor who led his team to a runner-up showing to

Misamis Oriental in the fourth leg hosted by Mandaue City.

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