Mandaue-Cebu recovers from opening day loss to MLKP-Cebu, defeats Laguna, 76-69

Games today:

Xavier University Gym

4:30 p.m. – Misamis Oriental vs. Laguna

6:30 p.m. – GenSan vs. Mandaue

Cagayan de Oro City— The Mandaue-Cebu Landmasters/RDAK recovered from their crushing opening day loss by beating the Laguna Golden Lions, 76-69, for their first victory in the SMC Liga Pilipinas V Super Leg Wednesday night at the Xavier University gym.

The Landmasters were defeated in heartbreaking fashion by the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños, 71-72, earlier in the week by a buzzer-beating three-pointer by forward Nat Cruz. It was a game that they led for most of the way until their mind-numbing meltdown in the endgame.

The same scenario nearly happened the other night against the Lions as the Landmasters led by as many as 16 points but let their opponents get to within three late in the match. However, they recovered in time behind the timely baskets of Ariel Capus and former PBL MVP Vic Manuel to hack out their first victory in two games.

Manuel led the winners with 13 points and eight rebounds. Three others scored in twin digits for Mandaue with Leomer Losentes scoring 12 and Axel Doruelo and Capus finishing with 11 each.

Cebuano wingman Glenn Bolocon topped Laguna with 20 while Bernz Franco contributed 15.

Mandaue led, 46-33, at halftime. The Lions got to within five, 55-60, at the end of the third and closed in to within three, 66-69, with 3:57 left.