Liga Pilipinas starts

Liga Pilipinas Starts
by Anthony E. Servinio for gameface.ph (08/19/09)

Games Today (August 19) – New Cebu Coliseum
4:00 PM Quezon Red Oilers vs. Trace-Laguna Stallions
6:00 PM M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala- Cebu Ninos vs. MP Warriors of GenSan

CEBU CITY – The road to redemption for the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos begin today as they host the kick off leg of the 2009 Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III at the New Cebu Coliseum.

The unpredictable MP Warriors of GenSan of boxing immortal Manny Pacquiao and Coach Ramon Pido will take first crack at the host Ninos in the main game at 6:00 PM. The 4:00 PM appetizer will showcase Southern Luzon stalwarts the Quezon Red Oilers of Gov. Raffy Nantes and Coach Oliver Bunyi and the Trace-Laguna Stallions of Atty. Erwin Genuino and Coach Nomar Isla.

The Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba hope to return to the top of the Liga Pilipinas roost after they ceded the crown to the Misamis Oriental Meteors in a classic five-game series last April 20. The Meteors took the fifth and final match, 64-52, in front of a stunned SRO crowd at the Cebu Coliseum.

To prepare for Conference III, Coach Alcoseba made revisions to the Ninos’ roster, with only nine players from Conference II joining a two returnees and a newcomer.

Veterans led by Conference I MVP Marlon Basco, Bruce Dacia, Abby Santos, Woodraw Enriquez, Stephen Padilla, Alex Cainglet, Mark Ababon, Ariel Mepana and Rino Berame will be back in the Cebu jersey. Returnees Ian Saladaga and Frank Nailon will take another tour of duty with the multi-titled ball club after playing elsewhere last conference. The lone newcomer on the squad is 6’3” forward Jan Malinao out of the University of San Jose-Recoletos.

Pacquiao is expected to grace the occasion with the possibility of suiting up for his very own Warriors. The Warriors’ core remains intact with 6’5” center Christian Cabatu and veteran point guard Jomer Rubi as the only major additions. Cabatu will patrol the frontline with Dondon Mendoza, Weng Farochillen, Jaypee Locsin, Dave Sagad and Jasper Callo while Rubi will give stability to the team that has prolific scorers Bob Ilanga, Dennis Concha, Louie Medalla, Apol Coronado, Jethrone Recustodio, Dondon Tadena, Jonjon Gonzaga and rookie Anthony Timon.

Coach Bunyi will make their Conference III debut missing a lot of his key guns from Conference II. He has elevated several players from their reserve pool while making some new acquisitions. Leading the charge for the Red Oilers will be point guard Roberts Labagala and wingman Mark Magsumbol. Still donning the Quezon uniform is center Erik Suguitan, forwards Jonathan Pinera, Kim Macanig and Fernando de Leon and guards Ryan Panzo, Jerome Chua, Alex Orias, Dennis Casino and Christian Gavina. Center Galen Cacha and forwards Unik Reyes and Luis Palaganas are the newcomers.

Meanwhile, the Stallions sport a new look with 10 returnees but four key additions. Coach Isla retained guards Alex Angeles, Axel Doruelo and Ricky Ricafuente, center Marlon Legaspi and forwards Gerwin Gaco, Jay-Arr Estrada, RB Mangahas, Rob Sanz, Glenn Bolocon and Jan Villaver. However, the Stallions have signed up do-it-all point guard Khiel Misa and tall Liga veterans Ronald Capati, Alfie Grijaldo and Alain Musni.

The four teams will play a single-round robin, with the top two teams disputing the leg championship in a one-game affair this coming Saturday. Liga Pilipinas Conference III is made possible by Smart,Molten, Accel, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington with media partners Solar Sports and Viva Prime.

Completing the 10-team Conference III roster are the Smart-Pampanga Buddies, Taguig Batang Global, Zamboanga Zambos, Bacolod Mang Inasals (formerly Iloilo) and expansion club Mandaue Landmaster. They will make their debut in the coming weeks.