The Mandaue-Cebu Landmasters/RDAK bucked the absence of team leader Mark Magsumbol and moved closer towards another finals stint after nipping the Ilocos Sur CS Tigers, 66-64, in the ongoing eliminations of the 5th leg of the SMC Liga Pilipinas V at the GMP Sports Complex in General Santos City.
Magsumbol, the two-time leg MVP winner in this tournament, opted to sit the game out because of a sore back that resulted from a bad fall he suffered in Mandaue’s first game against the Laguna Golden Lions.
Picking up the scoring slack left by Magsumbol was former pro and veteran guard Ariel Capus, who responded with a double-double performance of 20 points and 10 rebounds spiced up with four assists and four steals. Power forward Harold Sta. Cruz provided support with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Raymond Aguilar paced the CS Tigers of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Coach Johnedel Cardel with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Chito Jaime added 14 points and six rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Golden Lions bounced back from their loss to the Landmasters by getting past the GenSan-MP Warriors, 69-61.
The Lions utilized their defense to hack out the win as they held the Warriors to just eight points in the final canto while scoring 22 of their own to overhaul a six-point deficit at the end of the third period.
New recruit Edwin Asoro excelled on both ends of the floor as he scored eight crucial points to go with seven rebounds in the emotion-packed contest.
The Golden Lions’ victory was marred by a skirmish between EJ Feihl and Jam Alfad after a rebound play, resulting in both players’ ejection.
Robert Sanz led the way for the Golden Lions with 13 points on top of nine rebounds. Glenn Bolocon followed also with 13. Louie Medalla was the only Warrior in twin digits with 10 markers as the whole squad struggled.