CEBU CITY — The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu Niños routed the Quezon Red Oilers, 75-61, to jumpstart their title-retention bid in the Super Leg of the 2009 Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Monday night at the Cebu Coliseum here.

The Niños of coach Yayoy Alcoseba turned to ex-pro Bruce Dacia, Ariel Mepana, and Marlon Basco for most of the contest while speedy guard Woodraw Enriquez led a second quarter onslaught to keep abreast with defending champion Misamis Oriental Meteors.

With former Adamson hotshots Patrick Cabahug and Melvin Mamaclay and erstwhile West Negros University standout Mark Moreno at the helm, the Meteors staged a fourth quarter comeback to outplay the Smart Pampanga Buddies, 70-62, in this one-week tourney sponsored by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Dacia paced the Niños with 14 points while Mepana, a former local cager for the University of the Visayas Green Lancers, converted 11 points in just 13 minutes.

Basco, the league's first-ever Most Valuable Player when the Niños won the Conference I crown, chipped in 10 points and seven boards while Enriquez hit nine points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals as the host squad dominated the match.

Meanwhile, Cabahug topscored with 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting but it was the duo of Mamaclay and Moreno who made the big difference as they buried a triple each that gave them a a 62-57 lead with 5:31 left to play.

Former UE Red Warrior Hans Thiele led Pampanga with 14 points with Fil-Am Allen Husted adding 11 points in a losing cause. Jonathan Aldave registered 10 markers, including consecutive baskets that gave the Buddies a 55-48 lead at the end of the third.

Sponsored by Smart, Accel, Nolten, Burlington, Biofresh, Calcium Free, Gatorade, San Miguel Beer, Air21, Casino Alcohol, Omega Pain Killer, and M-Lhuillier Kwarta Padala, the tournament calls for a single round elimination format with the top team advancing to the one-game championship.

The scores:
First Game
MISAMIS ORIENTAL 70 — Cabahug 19, Daja 10, Kong 7, Saldua 7, Misa 6, Lamocha 6, Mamaclay 6, Tagupa 5, Mente 2, Moreno 2, Butel 0, Guiyab 0.
SMART-PAMPANGA 62 — Thiele 14, Husted 12, Aldave 10, Asoro 9, Magpayo 6, Gelig 5, Saguindel 3, Daroya 2, Villamin 1, Nicdao 0, Taylor 0, Al. Espiritu 0, Tan 0, An. Espiritu 0.
Quarters: 16-13, 33-30, 48-55, 70-62.

Second Game
CEBU 75 — Dacia 14, Mepana 11, Basco 10, Enriquez 9, Padilla 8, Nailon 6, Magsumbol 5, Poligrates 4, Santos 4, Saladaga 2, Ababon 2, Malinao 0.
QUEZON 61 — Palaganas 20, Labagala 9, Suguitan 7, Mondragon 7, Dedicatoria 4, Panzo 4, Chua 3, Gavina 3, Cacha 2, Pinera 2, Orias 1, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 18-21, 46-31, 64-45, 75-61.