Niños recover old touch, whip Ani-FCA five

M. LHUILLIER KWARTA Padala Cebu and Cobra Energy Drink arranged a championship match for the seventh leg crown in the Tournament of the Philippines after disposing of separate foes yesterday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym in Manila.

Stephen Padilla fueled an early run as the Niños ripped Ani-FCA, 91-71, for a 2-1 card on the final elimination day.

Padilla fired all of his 16 points in the first half, 12 from three-point range, to help the Niños recover a day after MP Gensan snapped their record 30-game winning streak with a 79-74 upset.

Ariel Mepana took over in the second half for a team-high 17 markers and 10 rebounds.

Cobra’s Elmer Espiritu also shone by nailing the game-winner with six seconds remaining to lift the Ironmen past MP Gensan, 63-61, in the second game.

The Niños, mentored by Yayoy Alcoseba, will shoot for their third crown today after ruling two of the previous six legs of the tournament jointly organized by the PBL and Liga Pilipinas.

“I told the team that it’s okay [that our winning streak ended] as long as we win the championship,” said Alcoseba.

The scores:

First Game

M. LHUILLIER CEBU 91—Mepana 17, Padilla 16, Dacia 13, Basco 9, Poligrates 9, Ybañez 8, Magsumbol 7, Ababon 6, Cruz 2, Saladaga 2, Mondragon 2, Santos 0.

ANI-FCA 71—Dizon 19, Luanzon 15, Custodio 13, Sena 6, Te 6, Arao 5, Bautista 3, Saguindel 2, Hugnatan 2, Sevilla 0, Co 0, Membrere 0.

Quarters: 22-9, 41-21, 64-40, 91-71

Second Game

COBRA 63—Acuña 16, Llagas 14, Barua 13, Espiritu 6, Tecson 4, Lingganay 4, Nabong 4, Afable 2, Cañizares 0, Bagatsing 0.

MP GENSAN 61—Nicdao 12, Raymundo 11, Gonzaga 10, Parreno 10, Daja 6, Callo 4, Sagad 2, Pacquiao B. 2, Concepcion 2, Mendoza 2, Medalla 0, Coronado 0, Yambao 0, Farochilen 0.

Quarters: 7-10, 26-24, 44-42, 63-61