CEBU CITY — Former pro Stephen Padilla erupted for 22 points, including five triples, to help M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu beat Treston Laguna, 89-79, and clinch the first finals berth in the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) Wednesday at the Cebu Coliseum here.

It took the Niños less than four minutes to take total control of the game as Padilla fuelled a mighty 12-0 run with a booming trey that gave them a 28-17 first quarter lead which the host squad fiercely protected to complete a two-game sweep of their best-of-three semis series.

Cebu will face the winner between Misamis Oriental and Hobe Bihon-Taguig City in the finals of the tournament jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas.

The best-of-five title series starts on Sept. 7 in Cebu City.

The Niños piled up more points behind their solid transition plays.