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The M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños snagged their second crown after they trampled host squad Pagadian Explorers, 72-67, in the championship game of the Pagadian leg of Liga Pilipinas Tour last Sunday at the Pagadian City Gym.
The Niños, who also captured the Ilocos Sur leg title last month, sealed the championship win behind a 12-0 run in the fourth that saw them erasing a 57-66 deficit in the final six minutes of the contest.
The game was last tied at 66-apiece when Marlon Basco hit a three-pointer to give the Niños the lead for good.
Cebu's tenacious defense in the dying seconds prevented the Explorers from stealing the win.
Ronald Capati topscored the Niños with 17 points, Mark Ababon tallied 14 and Bruce Dacia and Basco contributed 13 each.
Basco was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
With their championship finish, the Niños earned 10 points while the Explorers settled for five.
The Niños climbed to the top spot of the standings with 24 points, becoming the first squad in the newly formed league to win two straight crowns.
In the other game, the Misamis Oriental Meteors tripped the Trace-Laguna Stallions, 102-90, to bag the third place trophy.
Meanwhile, host team Taguig Batang Global thwarted the Pampanga Buddies, 81-75, to bag the Taguig leg crown at the C.P. Tinga gym. /Correspondent Calvin D. Cordova
