MAFILWA shocks Bayani, Laguna wins

MAFILWA-McDonald’s pulled the rug under favored Bayani, while Laguna-GEC Pawnshop scored its third straight win in the continuation of the 2004 UFO-San Miguel Cup Friday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the first game, Laguna outclassed winless Cavite-Pacific Islands Club in almost all departments and prevailed 85-72.

Scorers Ed Palma and Randy Arconado waxed hot in the opening quarter, as Laguna doubled up PIC 24-12 after the first quarter.

League leading scorer Julian Ranas struck back hard for the hoteliers in the second but it was not enough as Laguna entered halftime with a robust 46-33 advantage.

It was more of the same in the third quarter with Palma and Arconado getting help from Robert Guiang. The trio ran rings around their PIC defenders to help Laguna to a 68-44 spread going into the fourth and final quarter.

The writing was already on the wall as the payoff period got underway with only the final winning margin for Laguna left undecided.

Laguna grabbed more rebounds, 47-43, and also dished out more assists, 8-5, than Cavite. PIC, however, had more steals, 14-8. Both teams recorded a shot block each.

Palma led Laguna’s charge with 30 points, while game MVP Kelvin Aldan and Arconado chipped in 16 and 14 markers, respectively.

Laguna also held Ranas to under 40 points, as the prolific guard managed “only” 34 in the game. Playmaker Raymond Tolentino also added 14 points and 3 assists in the loss.

In the second game, MAFILWA limited Bayani to a measly 8 points in the second quarter while scoring 22 points themselves as the fastfood kings went on to post a 79-68 victory.

After taking the opening quarter by 3 points, center Larry Lizo and swingman Joseph Achas led a blitzkrieg-like attack in the second that allowed MAFILWA to rest at the break with a 38-19 cushion.

The lead ballooned to as much as 30 points in the third before Bayani made the final count more respectable in the fourth quarter.

Achas and his cousin Ryan led MAFILWA’s team effort with 13 points apiece with the latter getting the nod for best player of the game. Playmaker Ferdie Tobias also added 12 and Lizo, 10, for the victors.

Tim Paez bannered Bayani’s unexpected loss with yet another double-double stint of 12 points and the same number of rebounds.

First Game

Laguna 85 – Palma 30, Aldan 16, Arconado 14, Badilles 8, Guiang 5, Sumaoang 5, Poquiz 4, Illahi 4.

Cavite 72 – Ranas 34, Tolentino 12, Apasan 9, Catacutan 9, Bayani 4, Baterina 2, Valdez 2.

Scoring by quarters: 24-12, 46-33, 68-44, 85-72.

Referees: Jess Fabula and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game

MAFILWA 79 – R. Achas 13, J. Achas 13, Tobias 12, Lizo 10, Ma. Achas 6, Corpuz 6, L. Achas 5, Mi. Achas 4, Salazar 2, C. Achas 2, Aldan 2, Balbuena 2.

Bayani 68 – Paez 12, Villegas 7, Agbanlog 6, Rabasto 6, Hilario 6, Navalta 5, Camacho 4, Aglubat 4, Laitan 4, Pineda 2, De Calso 1.

Scoring by quarters: 14-11, 38-19, 66-39, 79-68.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Gabriel White.