M.Lhuillier vs. TNT on Thursday

Game Thursday (February 21) – New Cebu Coliseum

7:00 PM M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City vs. Talk ‘N Text

CEBU CITY – Southern Philippine’s top ball club the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City Jewelers of the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) will test the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals off the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in a goodwill game this Thursday (February 21) at the New Cebu Coliseum. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM.

The game is part of the celebrations of the 71^st year of the Cebu City Charter and is held in cooperation with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) through its president Manuel V. Pangilinan and Visayas area head Michel J. Lhuillier. Both gentlemen are also the owners of the competing teams.

The game marks the first time new Phone Pals coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes will call the shots in a public game since taking over from Frederick Pumaren. Coach Reyes will match wits against the multi-titled Coach Raul Alcoseba. Ironically, assisting Coach Alcoseba will be Coach Reyes’ brother Mike, adding twist to the interesting coaching battle.

M. Lhuillier is no pushover, as its roster is loaded with former PBA players in Bruce Dacia, Stephen Padilla, Danny Aying, Leo Bat-og, Dale Singson, Marlon Basco and Ronald Capati and rookie free agent Woodrow Enriquez. Completing the roster are rising stars Jayford Rodriguez, Enrico Llanto and Jerry Cavan.

Talk ‘N Text, coming off a disappointing PBA Philippine Cup performance were they got the early boot in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, will be lead by point guard Jimmy Alapag and shooters Renren Ritualo and Mark Cardona. Also on the roster of the Phone Pals is Egay Billones, who played for the MVBA’s Cebu Landmaster quintet in 2006.

The rest of the Phone Pals are Yousif Aljamal, Ali Peek, Miguel Noble, Felix Belano, Kalani Ferreria, Yancy de Ocampo, Don Allado, Harvey Carey and Anthony Washington.

The Jewelers hope to rise above their 1-1 win-loss slate against PBA teams. In August of 2006, the Jewelers shocked the Santa Lucia Realtors, 82-69, at the Cebu Coliseum. A month later, they lost to the San Miguel Beermen, 91-97, in a charity game organized by Dondon Hontiveros.(AES)