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ZAMBOANGA CITY: There is no stopping the Pagadian
from taking over the Liga Pilipinas leadership, demolishing the
erratic Taguig Batang Global 83-56 Sunday night for its second leg
title.
Pagadian, better known for its
low scoring wins, demonstrated they are capable of bigger
productions.
For the past 14 games, the
Explorers managed to log an average of 69.6 points ppg., the lowest
among the 13 teams in the league, while holding opponents below 66.6
ppg.
The Explorers let it all out
against the Batang Global, opening a 21-7 first quarter lead and
never looking back.
With the game going Pagadian’s
way in the first half, 35-17, coach Eric Samson had the comfort of
resting his starters, including leading scorers Mark Yee and Jan
Villaver.
In their place, centers Mark Kong
and Erian Daja stepped up to complete the victory. Daja, who
averaged only 9.9 points coming into the game, scored a game-high 16
points while Kong, who struggled offensively since the start of
their campaign, added 13 points.
Daja was named the best player
honors after averaging 18.4 points per game.
Aside from the centers, Pagadian
also got support from locals Eric Quilo, who finished with 12
points, and Albert Alberto, who contributed 10 points.
Boyet Bautista topped the Batang
Global with 14 points.
Pagadian went 34-of-64 (53
percent) from the field while Taguig sank to an aweful 22-of-73 (30
percent).
Pagadian now has a total of 29
points followed by idle M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños with 24 points and
Taguig with 23.
Scores:
PAGADIAN 83 - Daja 16, Kong 13,
Quilo 12, Alberto 10, Yee 9, Labagala 8, Sinco 3, Saludsod 3,
Singedas 3, Cortez 2, Alvarado 2, Villaver 2, Orquillas 0, Ayuk 0.
TAGUIG 56 - Bautista 14, Matias
10, Javier 10, Marquez 7, Latoreno 7, Ortiguerra 2, Ripalda 2,
Gatumbato 2, Rodriguez 1, Vijandre 1, Fajardo 0, de Leon 0, Reguerra
0.
Quarters: 21-7, 35-17, 59-34,
83-56.
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