Games today:
Cebu Coliseum
5 p.m. – MLKP-Cebu Ninos vs. Powerade
7 p.m. – Alaska vs. Meralco
The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños once again showed their mettle as they downed the Alaska Aces, 94-92, in overtime in the opening game of the Cebu City Mayor’s Cup Invitational yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Niños have been the bane of the Aces here in the south and yesterday was no different as Abby Santos made a putback while Ramsey Williams coolly hit three free-throws that proved to be the padding necessary that allowed them to claim the win.
Import Devon Sullivan led the Niños with 18 while Ian Saladaga and Santos had 17 and 12, respectively.
Alaska had the inside track in the first half as they took a 45-41 lead at the turn after leading, 23-21, after the first period. However, the 6-foot-8 Sullivan, Ferdinand Lusdoc and Santos, led an 8-0 run near the end of the third period to give the Niños a 69-63 lead going to the final canto.
The Niños pushed their lead to a high of eight, 77-69, after a reverse shot by Lusdoc. But the Aces fought back behind rookie Eric Salamat’s 10 points in that stretch, with his leaning jumper closing the gap to one, 82-83.
The Niños pegged their lead at five but Alaska was able to catch up and tie the game at 87-all after a trey by LA Tenorio and a putback by Hans Thiele.
In overtime, Santos tipped in a miss to put the Niños in front, 91-88, but Tenorio responded with a jumper from the wing to slice the deficit to one.
However, Tenorio, in a rare defensive mishap, fouled Williams who was in the act of shooting from beyond the arc. Williams calmly made all freebies, which eventually led to their win.
The Aces were paced by the 17 of Sonny Thoss and the 16 of Salamat. Correspondent Jonas Panerio