Crush Warriors to inch closer to final of Liga Super Leg

Games Wednesday (Xavier University Gym)
4:30 p.m. – Laguna vs GenSan
7 p.m. – MLKP-Cebu vs Misamis Oriental

CAGAYAN DE ORO — The defending national champions, M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños moved a step closer towards a much-coveted slot in the championship game of the SMC Liga Pilipinas Super Leg after dumping the hard-fighting GenSan-MP Warriors, 93-80, yesterday at the Xavier University gym here.

The Niños of multi-titled head coach, Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba and team owner Michel Lhuillier banked on the momentum of their thrilling, 72-71 win over archrivals Mandaue and pounced on the Warriors from the get-go.

However, they had to survive several scary moments in the fourth period before emerging with the crucial victory that put their record at an immaculate, 2-0 (win-loss).

The Warriors actually grabbed the lead at 38-36, late in the second period before a five-point cluster from Allein Maliksi put the Niños ahead, 42-38, at halftime. Cebu then greeted the third with a 10-2 blast ignited by a three-pointer from Ian Saladaga which put them in front, 52-40. A difficult leaner by Marvin Hayes established Cebu’s largest lead of the game at 66-52, before settling for a 68-57 cushion heading to the final period.

The Warriors of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, though, lived up to their moniker and fought to the very end. A 12-2 Warriors run gave the Niños some serious anxious moments as GenSan took the driver’s seat at 78-77, with 4:06 left in the game, courtesy of a free-throw by Jovanie Alih. Also starring in the Warriors’ surge were Louie Medalla, Alex Angeles, Allain Musni and Christian Nicdao, whose booming trifecta from the right wing enabled his team to come to within one, 74-75.

But Nat Cruz, whose three-point bomb with no time left powered Cebu to the pulsating win over Mandaue last Tuesday, sparked 16-2 Cebu windup that decided the outcome of the match.

Seemingly inspired by his heroics the other night, Cruz responded with a tough fadeaway, a hookshot and added two free-throws for good measure on his way to a 25-point, nine rebound performance.

Maliksi scored 16 before fouling out while Abby Santos contributed 14 markers for the Niños. The Warriors were paced by Medalla’s 17 and Angeles’ 13 points.

Meanwhile, hosts Misamis Oriental Meteors crushed the Warriors, 90-64, in the main game late Tuesday night with Egay Billones scoring 14 points followed by Ken Bono and Dino Daa with 10 apiece. Bono also hauled a team-best nine rebounds.