Mandaue survives GenSan, MLKP-Cebu loses to Misamis Oriental in extra sessions

Current league-leaders Mandaue-Cebu Landmasters/RDAK bounced back in style while reigning Liga Pilipinas national champions M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños fell in the thrilling second day of action of the sixth leg last Thursday at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro City.

The Landmasters, still smarting over their 59-68 loss to the Niños in the opening playdate of this pocket tournament, poured out their frustrations on the GenSan-MP Warriors and came away with a pulsating 86-80 double-overtime victory.

The Niños, on the other hand, got outhustled by the Meteors, 81-74, in another overtime match. The Meteors’ win gave them a foot over the competition in the race for the two finals tickets in this leg.

Dino Daa was the difference-maker in the tightly contested game as his three-point shot pushed the Meteors ahead, 75-72. They continued to pour it on as big man Ken Bono shot in four free throws while Ardy Larong shut the door with a basket with just 19 ticks left in the extra session. Cebuano forward Neil Raneses also merited credit as his tip-in with 14 seconds left in regulation tied the game at 70-all that forced overtime.

Raneses led the Meteors with 17 points while newly acquired guard Rudy Lingganay had a good all-around performance with 15 points, eight rebounds, six assists and six steals.

Allein Maliksi topped the Niños with 19 points followed by Mark Ababon’s 12.

In the first game, Mandaue banked on two-time leg MVP Mark Magsumbol for the win as he shot in 15 of his 22 points in the two overtime sessions in spite of an aching back.

Jam Alfad tied the game for the last time at 76-76 with two free throws after which, Magsumbol scored Mandaue’s next seven markers for an 83-77 advantage with 29 ticks left. Ariel Capus insured the victory with three free throws.

Capus supported Magsumbol with 17 points while Harold Sta. Cruz had 12 points and 18 rebounds. Jam Alfad paced the Warriors with 18 points.