M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu and Misamis Oriental forged a title showdown after posting similar easy victories Wednesday in the Tournament of the Philippines sixth leg at the Cebu City Coliseum.

The host Niños led for most of the way en route to a 114-110 win over rosstown rival Mandaue Landmasters while the Meteors pummeled Hobe Bihon-Taguig, 107-92, to gain berths in the leg finals of this tournament organized by the Philippine Basketball League and Liga Pilipinas.

Both squads, perhaps the two biggest rivals in regional basketball, are battling for the No. 1 berth at presstime. The winner will get an additional two-point bonus.

Stephen Padilla, who holds the Metropolitan Basketball Association and Liga Pilipinas records for most threes in a single game, fired 5-of-9 treys for 27 points while big man Abby Santos registered 25 points and 10 rebounds to help the Cebuanos win a record 27th consecutive game.

The Niños led for most of the way but had to survive several comeback attempts by the Landmasters, led by a spectacular 34-point performance from John Villaver, to secure the victory.

Meanwhile, seven MisOr players scored in double figures led by Patrick Cabahug's 19 points as it led by about 26 points to post an easy win over the Taguig City cagers.

It was the sixth consecutive victory for the Meteors, who are hoping to make a repeat of their title conquest in nearby Mandaue City two weeks ago.

The scores:
First game:
MISAMIS ORIENTAL 107 — Cabahug 17, Saldua 15, Raneses 13, Lamocha 13, Misa 12, Lucernas 11, Taganas 10, Moreno 9, Daa 5, Andaya 2, Tagupa 0.
TAGUIG 92 — Fernandez 28, Dela Cuesta 23, Gatumbato 10, De Castro 6, Vizcarra 5, Guiyab 5, Marquez 4, Sta. Cruz 3, Lumungsod 3, Reguera 3, Tajonera 2, Delgaro 0, Cacha 0.
Quarters: 23-16; 54-27; 83-57; 107-92.

Second game:
MLKP CEBU 114 — Padilla 27, Santos 25, Dacia 16, Ybanez 11, Basco 10, Ababon 6, Mondragon 5, Cruz 5, Magsumbol 5, Saladaga 3, Nailon 1, Pligrates 0.
MANDAUE 110 — Villaver 34, Gerilla 27, Laygo 15, Bucao 9, Latonio 6, Alcaraz 4, Reyes 4, Magpayo 4, Dennison 4, Tangarorang 3, Zanoria 0.
Quarters: 32-30; 60-50; 86-83; 114-110.