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The M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños and the Ilocos Sur Brave Hearts arranged a championship date after beating their respective semifinal foes in the northern leg of Liga Pilipinas last Saturday at the Sto. Domingo People's Coliseum in Ilocos Sur.
The Niños overwhelmed Taguig Batang Global, 117-94, while the Bravehearts pulled out a close 81-79 triumph over the Quezon Red Oilers.
In the southern leg over at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro City, the Pagadian Explorers and Baguio Victory chalked up stunning upsets to set up their own championship showdown.
The Explorers stunned the erstwhile unbeaten Misamis Oriental Meteors, 63-59, while Baguio dumped the Trace Laguna Stallions, 104-95.
Stephen Padilla powered the Niños with 24 points spiked by six triples. Bruce Dacia contributed 19 markers and Ian Saladaga chipped in 16.
Unlike in their first three games, the Niños played remarkably in the endgame as they outscored Taguig in the payoff period, 31-19.
The winners in the championship games will earn 10 points. Five points will be awarded to the losing finalists and three points to the third-placers.
Those points will help the squads advance to the playoffs.
BOX SCORES:
NORTHERN LEG
FIRST LEG
ILOCOS (81)- Malabanan 19, Cabatu 13, Basilides 12, Kalaw 11, Lopez 7, Saldua 6, Hugnatan 6, Guiyab 4, Castro 2, Balares 1.
QUEZON (79)- , Williams 28, Macanig 14, Lingao-Lingao 8, Mondragon 7, Panzo 7, Garrido 7, Canizares 7, Manabat 1.
QUARTERSCORES: 22-18, 41-36, 66-64, 81-79.
SECOND GAME
CEBU (117)- Padilla 24, Dacia 19, Saladaga 16, Basco 12, Rodriguez 11, Ababon 11, Capati 9, Aying 8, Cavan 4, Mepana 3.
TAGUIG (94)- Javier 16, Marquez 13, Gatumbato 13, Reguerra 11, Bautista 10, Ortiguerra 8, Fajardo 6, Rodriguez 5, Latoreno 4, Matias 3, Bombeo 2, Vijandre 3.
QUARTERSCORES: 22-26, 52-48, 86-75, 117-94.
SOUTHERN LEG
FIRST GAME
BAGUIO (104)- Sta. Maria 20, Mangahas 18, White 18, Al Gamboa 17, Tiongson 10, Pupos 7, Basto 5, Calimag 3, Ton 3, Ar. Gamboa 2, Carino 1.
LAGUNA (95)- Gaco 31, Retaga 18, Angeles 17, Santos 17, Ricafuente 5, Dedicatoria 3.
QUARTERSCORES: 20-18, 42-45, 70-69, 104-95.
SECOND GAME
PAGADIAN (63)- Yee 15, Quilo 12, Labagala 9, Orquillas 9, Daja 9, Kong 4, Villaver 3, Sinco 2.
MISOR (59)- Paterno 14, Concha 13, Tadena 7, Nailon 6, Farochilen 6, Tagupa 5, Caputolan 4, Saguindel 2, Zagala 2.
QUARTERSCORES: 14-12, 29-31, 50-43, 63-59.
