Thursday, March 30, 2006
Valencia tests Warriors Thursday
Team Standings
Southern division
Ozamiz Cotta 1-0
Valencia Harvest 2-1
Iligan Crusaders 1-1
N. Cotabato Braves 1-1
Pagadian Explorers 0-2
Iloilo Warriors x-x
Northern division
Spring-Para¤aque 1-0
Batang Tagaytay 1-0
Manila Harbour 0-1
Pangasinan 0-1
Forward Taguig x-x
Laguna Pistons x-x
Games on Thursday
University Of San Agustin Gym, Iloilo city
6 pm Valencia vs Iloilo
ILOILO CITY -- With a newfound supporter, the Iloilo City Warriors will open its campaign in the 2006 NBC national championship with a new vigor as it plays host to Valencia Golden Harvest 6 p.m. at the University of San Agustin gym in this city.
Formerly called Iloilo Warriors, the team added city to its monicker emphasizing the support that they will be getting from the City Government of Iloilo this season.
City Mayor Jerry Treñas pledged support for the team, as he will back them up for the first time since the Warriors joined the league in its inaugural run in 2003.
"Sports is one of the components of a progressive city. With the NBC's national scope, I hope to promote the city as a haven for sports and to boost tourism as well," Treñas said.
The Iloilo Basketball League, now headed by its newly elected president Snook Divinagracia, who replaced erstwhile President Robert Uy of Toyota-Iloilo, warmly accepted Treñas's gesture.
"This is a tremendous boost to our campaign this season. Last year, we got support from the provincial government, now, it's the City Government's time to lend us its hand since we're playing right here in the heart of the city," Divinagracia said.
The Iloilo City Warriors will be facing a tough Valencia Golden Harvest, which lost its second road assignment in Amas, Kidapawan City against the North Cotabato Braves.
Prior to its first loss of the season, the Golden Harvest of Mayor Jose M. Galario, Jr. disposed of Pagadian Explorers on the road then repulsed the Firefly-Lightings-backed Iligan Crusaders at home.
The Iloilo City Warriors will lean on the backcourt tandem of Elben Leonida and Eldrin Senierez, who formed an explosive trio with now North Cotabato guard Eduardo Allado, Jr., last season.
Iloilo coach Rodolfo Molet Medez hopes to fill the void left by Allado in new recruits Edgar Castro, Mark Unarce, Ehlo Antenor-Cruz, Loreto Bautista, Jr. Allen Sucaldito, Edward Ogunsaya, Gerard Ganzon, Emil Villanueva, Julius Jalipa while old mainstays Denself Sina-on, Paul Ian Poral, Lol Lima and Henry Sencil will provide the veteran leadership on the floor.
"Valencia is a complete team. They've got the biggest frontline in the league while their backcourt got the veteran leadership. It's a work cut out for us. We'll try our best to provide a good show in front of our home crowd," Medez said.
His counterpart in Valencia, coach Arvin Martinez hopes to squeeze the same performance that propelled them to two opening wins from 2003 NBC Find of the Year Julius Navales, Nat Cruz, last season's Rookie of the Year Eliazar Berami, Dino Cabili and highly-touted Fil-am rookie Bo Cummings.
The league's third season is being supported by Panasonic, Sulpicio Lines, Nature's Spring Mineral Water, Regent Foods, Firefly Lightings, Spring Cooking Oil, Molten and Prime Channel.
NBC games are aired 2pm and 10pm daily over at the Prime Channel, the league's official cable carrier.
(March 30, 2006 issue)
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