Wednesday, September 30, 2009

35th PBA Season Logo

Orange downs Gray, 90-84 to rule 2nd CEO-Duterte Cup

Orange Team downed Team Gray, 90-84 in the finals of the 2nd CEO-Duterte Cup Inter-Color Basketball League, Monday, at the Bankerohan gym.

Orange’s early lead gave them the advantage as both team played neck-to-neck in the final half.

Sebastian Duterte capped his final game with a three-pointer to score a total of 10 points while Buenaventura Mamac topscored for the losing side with 23 points.

White Team defeated Red Team, 77-72 to take third place with Loymi Lapuz leading the charge for the third placers with 15 points.

Darwin Villagonzalo led Red with 22 baskets.

The Whites started slow but played better in the final quarter to keep the Reds trailing.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

PBA joins aid effort for ‘Ondoy’ victims

PBA joins aid effort for ‘Ondoy’ victims


The Philippine Basketball Association is falling in line with government agencies and the private sector in extending a hand to the hundreds of thousands left drenched, homeless and grieving in the aftermath of the country’s worst storm-induced deluge in 40 years.

Commissioner Sonny Barrios and the PBA board of governors, led by chairman Lito Alvarez, authorized Sunday the release of food donations for victims of tropical storm “Ondoy” which poured a huge amount of rainfall on Metro Manila and outlying Luzon provinces last Saturday and triggered massive flooding everywhere.

PBA media bureau chief Willy Marcial said the Office of the Commissioner will be purchasing bread, canned goods and other food items from cash assistance coming from the 10 member ballclubs, sorting them out and loading the bags into trucks.

Team officials, coaches and players will be driven to the stricken areas, including Marikina, Pasig, Rizal and Antipolo where scores died and which remain submerged in mud-filled waters, to distribute the bagged goodies.

“We would like to lend a helping hand to the victims of Ondoy by sharing the blessings which the PBA had received over the years from our loyal fans all over the country,” said Barrios.

“Net proceeds from the 35th season inaugural day ceremony on Oct. 11 will also go with the seed money which the ballclubs have put up as calamity fund,” he added.

The PBA, Alvarez said, is undergoing the effort with a deep sense of sorrow especially for those with loved ones who perished.

“Needless to say, this endeavor is made much more personal to us all in the PBA family because of the loss of a colleague, a friend, a brother in Tony Chua,” the Burger King representative said.

Chua, the Barako Bull governor and league chairman two years ago, was swept away by raging flood waters, along with an aide, while on his way home at the height of the heavy downpour.

Rescuers were able to pull Chua out to safety after he lost his grip while clinging to a tree, but he apparently succumbed to a heart attack a short time later due to fatigue and hypothermia.

“I grieve for those who died, and I share in the anguish of chairman Tony’s family for their irreplaceable loss,” Alvarez said.

“It is in Tony Chua’s memory that the PBA offers whatever it can to help ease the burden of the flood victims.”

The PBA organized a similar relief effort for Pampanga several years ago.

PINOY KIDS 3 ON 3 NATIONAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

PINOY KIDS 3 ON 3 NATIONAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT on its way to Davao on October 3 - 4, 2009 at Woodridge Gymnasium, Maa, Davao City...

Interested Schools can join. Please Contact Coach Rael Diaz at 0921-3903659; (082) 301-6188.

CMO drubs Muslim All-Stars in Game2, levels series

CMO drubs Muslim All-Stars in Game2, levels series
The City Mayor's Office banked on Christopher "Bong" Go's huge first half production to rout the Davao Muslim All-Stars, 105 - 95, in Game 2 of their Best of seven series, Sunday night, at the Davao City Recreation Center.
Go, the sweet-shooting executive assistant of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, scored 24 of his total 37 points in the first half to almost single-handidly carry CMO for the series leveling victory.
Bullstrong Marvin Mondigo, Dindo Pastor and Melchor Gadiano chipped in 14, 13 and 12 markers respectively for CMO which was up by 11, 54 - 43, at the half and never looked back.
The Muslim All-stars came out strong in the second half behind their run and gun type of play but the Mayor's men had an answer everytime they move closer.
Modjer Sansangan scored 18 points for the Muslim All-Stars who trounced CMO in Game 1, 110 - 103, despite the 34 points output of Go.
The wards of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation president Halila Sudagar managed to trade basket in the early going of the match before Go spearheaded an CMO run to put them in a striking distance.
CMO established an 27 - 19 lead after the first quarter.
Amado Peña had 12 markers for the Muslim All-Stars who missed the services of Game 1 hero Mhing Distancia.
It was the prolific Rizal Memorial College Bulldog guard who made a fade away basket from a broken play in the dying seconds that gave the Muslim All-Stars the lead for good.

QUEZON NIPS PAMPANGA, SWEEPS GENSAN LEG

Games Wednesday (September 30) – Trace College-Los Banos

4:00 PM Forward Taguig vs. MP Warriors of GenSan

6:00 PM Trace-Laguna Stallions vs. Misamis Oriental Meteors

QUEZON NIPS PAMPANGA, SWEEPS GENSAN LEG

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Quezon Red Oilers pocketed the Smart Liga Pilipinas General Santos City Leg with a come from behind victory over the Smart-Pampanga Buddies, 78-73, at the General Santos City Gymnasium late Saturday evening.

Center Angelus Raymundo hit a boarding triple to shatter a 73-73 tie and push the Red Oilers on top for good, 76-73. The Buddies then failed to score, forcing them to quickly foul Luis Palaganas who calmly sank both charities for the final tally.

Earlier, Buddy Al Magpayo tied the game for the last time with a triple, 73-73, and 30 ticks remaining. Overall, the intense contest saw eight deadlocks and 22 lead changes.

The Buddies of Coach Allan Gregorio, behind the good three-point shooting of Jonathan Aldave and balikbayan Allan Husted, took the first half, 36-30.

Palaganas led the champions with 17 points. The 6’6” Raymundo was later adjudged as the leg’s Most Valuable Player with averages of 13.3 points and 10.0 rebounds. This also marks the first time the franchise of Gov. Raffy Nantes swept a leg.

“We came here because of two reasons – family and passion,” said victorious coach Oliver Bunyi as he secured his first leg crown this conference and third overall since last year. “This is our gift to Gov. Nantes and the people of Quezon.”

Due to their good performance, both finalists shot up the Liga Tour standings with the Red Oilers now occupying Second Place with 23 points while the Buddies grabbed Third Place with 21 points. The undefeated M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos still rule the roost with 45 points. The top two teams will be given automatic spots in November’s five-team Super Leg that will determine the next National Champion.

In the battle for Third Place, the Zamboanga Uno Latinos pulled off an 87-71 shocker over the host MP Warriors of GenSan. The win marked the Latinos’ first after seven straight losses this conference supported by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Playing the entire tournament with only six men, the Latinos under Coach Ronald Rico leaned on the 35 points and six rebounds of guard Jayson Rebollos.

The Liga Tour makes its seventh stop this Wednesday at the Stallions’ Gym of Trace College in Los Banos, Laguna as the Trace-Laguna Stallions welcome the Warriors, Forward Taguig and the defending National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

NINOS BEAT HOST OILERS, ARRANGE LEG FINALS SHOWDOWN

NINOS BEAT HOST OILERS, ARRANGE LEG FINALS SHOWDOWN

LUCENA CITY – The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos continued their winning ways with a 95-77 drubbing of the host Quezon Red Oilers at the close of the preliminary rounds of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Quezon Province Leg Friday evening at the Quezon Convention Center.

The Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba swept all their three games and earned a two-point bonus for doing so to hike their Tour Points total to a league-best 35, winning all 11 games thus far in the conference made possible by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Burlington and Air 21 and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Cebu is now on course for the rare "Liga Golden 60" or a sweep of all their four legs. "It is possible but we are not thinking of that yet. We just want to build our team's confidence and momentum for the Super Leg." said Coach Alcoseba.

The Red Oilers of Gov. Raffy Nantes and Coach Oliver Bunyi have yet to beat the Ninos since Liga Pilipinas was organized last year. The Red Oilers managed to tie the game twice at 2-2 and 4-4 and it was an all-Cebu show from thereon.

Power forward Ariel Mepana outscored the whole Quezon team in the first period as he tallied 11 points of his own against eight of Quezon. The Ninos ran away with the first period, 26-8.

It was the turn of guard Mark Ababon to wax hot in the second period, as he pumped in 10 points to tow the Ninos to a 39-12 advantage. A late run anchored on Ramsey Williams and Mark Magsumbol put the Red Oilers closer at halftime, 29-46.

By the third period, the outcome was settled as Bruce Dacia added 10 more points, followed by back-to-back triples by Stephen Padilla, another triple by Ababon and a basket by Ian Saladaga that gave the Ninos their biggest lead of the game, 75-42.

In the first game, the defending National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors of Gov. Oscar Moreno and Coach Jun Noel kept the EKB-Apayao Rapids winless.

The Ninos and Red Oilers will dispute the leg championship while the Meteors and Rapids will tangle for Third Place.

Selected games from the Quezon Leg will be shown over Solar Sports next week from Wednesday to Saturday. Liga Pilipinas Classics are also shown every morning on Viva Prime Channel. The league’s official website is at www.ligapilipinas.net.

PBA Press Corps Awards on Sept.27

The PBA Press Corps, the group of sportswriters who regularly cover the PBA games, is all set to stage its annual awards on Sept. 27 at The Alegria of Holiday Inn Manila Pavilion.

The awarding of the Baby Dalupan Trophy to the Coach of the Year is the highlight of the semi-formal affair set to start at 7:30 p.m.

Other awards to be given are the Executive of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Mr. Quality Minutes, Comeback Player of the Year, Referee of the Year and the All-Rookie Team.

Members of champion team Talk n Text and San Miguel Beer are tipped to get the lion's share of the awards in the affair presented by Pagcor, Smart Sports, San Miguel Corp. and Coca-Cola.

Coach Chot Reyes, who steered the Tropang Texters to the 2008-09 Philippine Cup title conquest, is the prime candidate for the Coach of the Year award.

He previously won the coveted award in 1993 and 2002.

Coach Baby Dalupan is expected to be on hand to personally award the Dalupan Trophy to the winner.

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, board chair Lito Alvarez and other PBA officials are also invited in the occasion where veterans sportscasters Ed Picson and Patricia Bermudez-Hizon are the emcees.

Sta. Lucia's Boyet Fernandez is the current holder of the permanent Dalupan Trophy.

If he fails to retain the Coach of the Year award, Fernandez is to relinquish the permanent trophy to his would-be successor. The Coach of the Year winner also gets a replica of the permanent ware.

The other 07-08 awardees were Buddy Encarnado as Executive of the Year, Arwind Santos as Defensive Player of the Year, Peter June Simon as Mr. Quality Minutes, Mike Hrabak as Comeback Player of the Year, Jess Ferrer Referee of the Year and Ryan Reyes, Chico Lanete, Joe Devance, Doug Kramer and Ronjay Buenafe making up the All-Rookie Team.

They were awarded elegant trophies by Zamora & Sons.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

CMO, Emcor seek top berth on Friday night

INDAY SARA-RVAI CAGEFEST

CMO, Emcor seek top berth on Friday night

TEAM STANDINGS

Group A W L

x-CMO 3 0

x-Kolin-Emcor 3 0

Colt 45 1 2

FDM 0 2

Wind and Wave 0 3

Group B W L

x-Delongtes 3 0

Davao Bayan 2 1

Philip Morris 2 1

Libcan 1 3

Bayantel 0 3

x-Clinched semis berth

Friday:

7:30-8:00—CMO vs. Kolin-Emcor

League-leaders CMO and Kolin-Emcor part ways on Friday night to determine the top Group qualifier at the close of eliminations in the 1st Inday Sara-RVAI Invitational Cup basketball tournament at the Rivera Village Covered Court.

The match was originally scheduled Tuesday but heavy rains forced the postponement of the highly-anticipated match between two of the league’s remaining unbeaten squads.

The Air Condition Specialists are spotless with a 3-0 win-loss slate in Group A, the same record toted by the Mayor’s Men. Although the two teams are already assured of the Group’s berths to the crossover semis, the winner of the match will take the top spot and will meet the no. 2 team in Group B.

CMO will be relying on the return of sweet-shooting Bong Go, the mayor’s executive assistant, who missed CMO’s last outing against Wind and Wave. They will also bank on a solid back-up crew composed of Jason Tan, Dioven Braga, Boyet Brigoli and Bong Aleman.

The tournament is sponsored by Vice Mayor Inday Sara Duterte through the City Sports Development Office and the Rivera Village Association, Inc.

Meantime, RVAI Committee chairman Jet Calma announced that there will be an exhibition match between the RVAI Selection and the Sports For Peace squad made up mostly of sports media and officials.

“This early, we would like to express our thanks to Vice Mayor Indaya Sara Duterte for the support she has extended to our tournament. Hopefully, she can make it during the awarding ceremonies,” said Calma.(pr)

RED OILERS STOP METEORS AS QUEZON LEG BEGINS

STANDINGS

Quezon Red Oilers 1-0

M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos 1-0

EKB-Apayao Rapids 0-1

Misamis Oriental Meteors 0-1

Games Today (September 18) – Quezon Convention Center

4:00 PM EKB-Apayao Rapids vs. Misamis Oriental Meteors

6:00 PM Quezon Red Oilers vs. M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos

RED OILERS STOP METEORS AS QUEZON LEG BEGINS


LUCENA CITY – The host Quezon Red Oilers tallied a big win over the visiting Misamis Oriental Meteors, 102-93, to kick off the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Quezon Province Leg at the Quezon Convention Center Wednesday night.

Using a swarming defense, the host Red Oilers of Gov. Raffy Nantes controlled the game from start to finish enroute to a rousing defense of its own leg before a huge hometown crowd.


“We limited the production of their big men,” explained victorious coach Oliver Bunyi. “Hopefully, we can regain our form and start winning again.”

With key players Jorel Canizares, Ramsey Williams and Angelus Raymundo returning to the line-up after missing the Cebu City Leg last month, the Red Oilers displayed the form that made them reach all their four leg championship games last conference and the National Semifinals. It also marked the franchise’s first win this conference supported by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Air 21, Gatorade and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Canizares fired 18 points in 22 minutes of play to lead the Red Oilers. Williams dished out another all-around performance with 16 points, six rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Patrick Cabahug paced the Meteors of Gov. Oscar Moreno and Coach Jun Noel with 30 markers followed by Lyndon Gudez with 18.

Meanwhile, the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos stretched their undefeated run to nine games by rubbing out the EKB-Apayao Rapids, 96-90.

The Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba dictated the tempo from the opening buzzer. However, the Rapids managed to trim the final deficit in the fourth canto.

Mark Ababon topped the Ninos with 17 points followed by last week’s MisOr Leg MVP Woodraw Enriquez with 13 points and nine assists. Ismael Junio, whose Liga career has seen stops in Batangas and Ilocos Sur, paced his new team with 16 points via four triples. Gerold Canson followed with 13 points, five rebounds and seven assists.

Selected games from the Quezon Province Leg will be shown next week on Solar Sports from Wednesday to Saturday. Liga Pilipinas Classics air daily over Viva Prime Channel. More information may be downloaded at www.ligapilipinas.net.

How They Scored:

First Game

CEBU (96) – Ababon 17, Enriquez 13, Padilla 12, Mepana 11, Dacia 11, Basco 8, Saladaga 7, Santos 5, Ybanez 5, Nailon 4, Malinao 3.

APAYAO (90) – Junio 16, Canson 13, Cabico 12, Vitug 10, Navarro 9, Orera 8, Canlas 7, Lujero 4, Tiongson 4, Lustestica 3, Bumanglad 2, Malabanan 2, Visquera 0, Martinez 0.

Second Game

QUEZON (102) – Canizares 18, Williams 16, Magsumbol 15, Raymundo 14, Pinera 9, Labagala 8, Palaganas 7, Suguitan 6, Cacha 6, Orias 2, Macanig 1.

MISAMIS ORIENTAL (93) – Cabahug 30, Gudez 18, Saldua 11, Kong 6, Moreno 6, Daja 5, Sanchez 4, Mamaclay 4, Tagupa 4, Butel 3, Barcellano 2, Pupos 0.

PBA GENERATES RECORD P11m FROM 2008-09 FIESTA CUP FINALS

PBA GENERATES RECORD P11m FROM 2008-09 FIESTA CUP FINALS
THE 35th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) hopes to pick up from where it left off last year.

Following a review of the season that passed, the league reported a record Finals earning of P11 million generated during the Fiesta Cup championship showdown between San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra.

The Beermen rallied back from a 2-3 series deficit to turn back the Kings in the do-or-die Game 7 and win the title before close to 20,000 screaming fans at the Araneta Coliseum.

The total net gross of the exciting seven-game series is the highest turn out in Finals history of Asia’s pioneer pro league.

It likewise surpassed the previous mark of P8 million gained during the 2008 Fiesta Cup title series between Barangay Ginebra and Air21.

“Considering the financial and business challenges of the times, the PBA did very well last season,” said commissioner Sonny Barrios.

The release of the figures came at a time when the league is just three weeks before ushering its 2009-2010 playing calendar.

The 35-year old league had its first official activity for the season last August 2 when it held the annual Rookie Draft at the Market! Market! Place in Taguig.

Next week the series of pre-season games involving all 10 teams formally kicks off at the Astrodome on Sept. 25 featuring the lone game pitting the Coca-Cola Tigers against the Alaska Aces.

Nine more matches follow after that including games between Burger King and Purefoods in Concepcion, Tarlac on Sept. 26 and San Miguel against Ginebra in Urdaneta, Pangasinan on the same playing date.

PBA PRE-SEASON GAMES GET GOING ON SEPT. 25

PBA PRE-SEASON GAMES GET GOING ON SEPT. 25

TEN pre-season games, highlighted by simultaneous matches in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan and Concepcion, Tarlac, get the ball rolling for the 35th year of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

The annual exhibition series held prior to the start of the season and involving all 10 teams, kicks off on Sept. 25 at the Astrodome when the rebuilt Coca-Cola Tigers test the mettle of last year’s Philippine Cup runner-up Alaska Aces in the lone Friday game set at 6 p.m.

The Tigers are expected to parade new recruits Ken Bono, Larry Rodriguez, Jojo Duncil and the year’s no. 3 overall pick in Chris Ross against the solid, veteran rotation of the Aces bannered by former league MVP Willie Miller, L.A. Tenorio, Joe DeVance and Sonny Thoss.

The following day, the league takes its act to the provinces as Barangay Ginebra and defending Fiesta Cup champion San Miguel clash in Pangasinan in a rematch of last year’s season-ending Finals.

The 4 p.m. match will see for the first time Arwind Santos and Denok Miranda suiting up for the Beermen following their off-season acquisition from Burger King and Sta. Lucia, respectively.

The Kings on the other hand, are set to flaunt new faces Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez, Paolo Bugia and Celino Cruz. The pre-season games may also be used by coach Jong Uichcio as perfect opportunity to slowly get back Mark Caguioa in shape after the prolific Ginebra scorer sat out the entire 34th season owing to an injury.

On the same time and date as the Ginebra-San Miguel game is the clash between Burger King and Purefoods in Tarlac. The Giants will have in their arsenal no. 2 draft pick Rico Maierhofer and returnee Marc Pingris and Paul Artadi.

On Sept. 28, four other teams make their respective debuts in the pre-season games. Barako Bull takes on Rain or Shine at Arellano University ( 2 p.m), while a few hours later, defending All-Filipino champion Talk `N Text meets Sta. Lucia at Lyceum University.

Highly-touted rookies Ogie Menor and Benedict Fernandez make their debut for the Boosters, even as the Elasto Painters welcome to their fold freshmen Jervy Cruz and Marcy Arellano and recent additions Jeff Chan, Mike Hrabak and Mark Clemence Telan.

The Realtors’ game against the intact Tropang Texters marked the post Espino era in franchise history and may serve as the first official comeback game of last year’s MVP Kelly Williams.

The rest of the pre-season schedule will have the Tropang Texters playing the Elasto Painters at PUP, Sta Mesa on the 29th (4 p.m.), the Tigers taking on the Realtors on Oct. 1 at the Pasig Catholic School (2:30 p.m.), the Beermen battling the Whoppers on Oct 2 at the RTU gym in Mandaluyong (4p.m.), the Kings against the Boosters at San Beda, Mendiola on Oct. 3 (4 p.m.) and the Aces versus the Giants at PUP, Sta Mesa on Oct. 4 (4 p.m.).

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

CMO wins Inday Sara – AFP – PNP title

CMO wins Inday Sara – AFP – PNP title

The City Mayor’s Office won the Inday Sara AFP-PNP-24th Kadayawan Invitational Cup title with a 102 - 82 victory in the do-or-die Game 3, Sunday, at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Christopher “Bong” Go, who was named league Most Valuable Player, lived up to his prime billing, taking charge in the most important and pressure-packed game in the series.

Go, the sweet-shooting executive assistant of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, made two consecutive triples in the dying seconds of the first half to hand down CMO a double digit lead and never looked back to clinch the crown.

He finished the game with 26 points, eight of which came in the pivotal second canto, including a baseline three pointer with 26 seconds left that gave the Mayor’s men a 48 – 36 lead for good.

Roy Bangkas, Marvin Mondigo and Ayie Bonleon helped the cause for CMO which bounced back strong from a 100 – 88 loss in Game 2 that foiled its bid to sweep the series.

Bangkas, who placed second in the MVP race, poured in 19 points while Mondigo and Bonleon had 14 and 13 respectively.

RMG tried to cut the deficit midway in the third canto with a short rally behind the three points shooting of Rommel Cameros and dare devil penetrations of Daniel Campomanes.

But CMO came back with its own run foiling RMG’s yearn to make the game close.

Campomanes, who ranked no. 3 in the MVP standing, had 23 points for RMG which managed to trade baskets with CMO in the early going of the match before the Mayor’s pulled away before the break.

Go received the MVP trophy but gave the cash prize to Bangkas and Campomanes who equally divided the P6, 000 purse.

Regional Headquarters defeated Special Action Force, 98 – 97 to finish third in the tournament presented by Vice Mayor Sara Duterte.

METEORS OPEN TITLE RETENTION BID AT HOME

Games Today (September 9) – Arturo S. Lugod Memorial Sports and Cultural Center

4:00 PM M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos vs. Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue

6:00 PM Misamis Oriental Meteors vs. MP Warriors of GenSan



METEORS OPEN TITLE RETENTION BID AT HOME



GINGOOG CITY – Reigning Liga Pilipinas National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors finally begins the formal defense of their crown on friendly home grounds against three familiar foes today at the Arturo S. Lugod Memorial Sports and Cultural Center for Day One of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Misamis Oriental Leg.



Out to challenge the wards of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel are the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos, Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue and the MP Warriors of GenSan – who together with the Meteors were members of the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) from 2006 to 2007. The MVBA merged with the National Basketball Conference (NBC) to give birth to Liga Pilipinas in 2008.



The Meteors take the floor at 6:00 PM against the unpredictable Warriors of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. Coach Noel has retained eight members from the championship team – guards Ramil Tagupa, Lyndon Gudez, Mark Moreno, forwards Rocky Sanchez and Jerome Numeran and centers Mark Kong, Erian Daja and Philip Butel. The Meteors then reacquired shooter Patrick Cabahug, signed free agents Eder Saldua, Arden Guiyab and newcomers Neil Raneses, Melvin Mamaclay and Rocky Clavel.



Warriors Coach Ramon Pido hopes to better their team’s Third Place finish in the Cebu Leg three weeks ago. To do so, the Warriors need big games from centers Dondon Mendoza and Christian Cabatu and prolific guards Louie Medalla, Don Tadena, Apol Coronado, Jethrone Recustodio, Dennis Concha, Jomer Rubi and Bob Cozy Ilanga.



In the first game, Cebu Leg champion Ninos tackle cross-town rival Landmaster. The Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba are the only undefeated team in the conference backed by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).



The Ninos have 15 Liga Tour points from their four-game sweep of their home leg, currently good for Third Place in the overall rankings behind idle Pampanga Leg champion Trace-Laguna Stallions (19) and Taguig Leg champion Forward Taguig (18) and a point ahead of Fourth Placer Smart-Pampanga Buddies (14). Laguna, Taguig and Pampanga though have already completed two legs each.



The Ninos emerged as the most awarded franchise during the MVBA’s two-year run and have continued their success in Liga Pilipinas with seven leg championships. Coach Alcoseba has at his disposal a veteran-laden roster led by Cebu Leg MVP Bruce Dacia, Conference I MVP Marlon Basco, Stephen Padilla, Woodraw Enriquez and Abby Santos, rising stars Ian Saladaga, Mark Ababon and Jan Malinao, Ariel Mepana and Rino Berame and former Meteor Frank Nailon.



Landmaster of Joe Soberano and Coach Jun Tan made their Liga debut two weeks ago with a Third Place finish in the Taguig City Leg and are loaded with former members of the Ninos franchise – Danny Aying, Jercules Tangkay, Ronald Bucao, Jett Latonio, Enrico Llanto and Gerry Cavan. The frontline features Joel Solis, Francis Mercado, Mannie Gabas and Jayson Tiongson. Completing the team are John Paul Alcaraz and Jerome Cenita, who both emerged as reliable scorers during the Taguig Leg.



The Warriors and Landmaster are bunched at Fifth and Sixth Place with four points each. This leg will be crucial as it will be their only meeting. The Toyota-Bacolod Turbos are at solo Seventh Place with three points while the still winless Quezon Red Oilers and Zamboanga Uno Latinos share the cellar with only a point each.



Gingoog City will also host tomorrow’s games. The action moves to the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro City for Friday’s fixtures and Saturday’s leg championship game.



Selected games from the MisOr Leg will be shown over Solar Sports next week from Wednesday to Saturday. Also, Liga Pilipinas Classics airs daily over Viva Prime Channel. Additional information may be accessed at www.ligapilipinas.net.