Monday, April 16, 2007 MisOr resumes MVBA bid minus head coach
CEBU CITY -- The 2007 Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) First Conference resumes hostilities today with a surefire doubleheader at the New Cebu City Coliseum.
Reigning back-to-back MVBA champions M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City of Michel Lhuillier and Coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba will renew its rivalry with Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr of league chairman Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and new coach Rodolfo Jose "Bong" Abad in the opening dish at 5 pm. In the main offering at 6:30 pm, Arthro Kontra Arthritis of Cebu sports patron Jonathan "Atan" Guardo and Coach Al Solis will try to enter the win column against the debuting Iligan Archangels of Mayor Lawrence L. Cruz and new coach Mike Reyes.
Coach Abad, a former PBA and PBL player with San Miguel and Casino Alcohol, replaced Rex Salvaña after MisOr began the season by splitting its first two games. Coach Reyes, an M. Lhuillier assistant coach last season, assumed the mantle from Prof. Ed Arugay who will remain with the team in a managerial capacity.
M. Lhuillier defeated Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr, 75-67, during the league's opener last March 26 at the Xavier University Gym behind the good play of Woodrow Enriquez, Jett Latonio, Mike Manigo and Stephen Padilla who all combined for 52 markers.
The potent quartet is again expected to shine as they battle MisOr's key players Lowell Briones, Mark Ababon, Frank Nailon and Ramil Tagupa.
The Archangels, who underwent a massive overhaul in the off-season, will parade returnees Marvin Tundag, Aries Gloria, Jeffrey France and Michael Sereno and a slew of veteran free agent transferees in Mark Abadia and Vernini Tangarorang from M. Lhuillier, Von Harry Lanete, Jayzar Esperat and Kane Abatayo from the Talisay Aquastars, Baltazar Jueves from the Lanao Royals and Carlos Sayon and John Malinao from Cebu Landmaster.
Arthro is raring and eager to bounce back after losing their first game against MisOr, 74-86, last March 27 also at the Xavier University Gym, the second playdate of the league backed by ML Kwarta Padala, Nature's Spring, La Fortuna Hotel and Bakery, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Accel, Sulpicio Lines, Ocean Jet, Reva Sandals, Gameface.Ph and Nike Basketball.
Coach Solis is upbeat now that he has a complete roster with the return of young stars Rino Berame, Morsie Akad, Chris Diputado, Alain Abellanosa and Michael Luga who all failed to join the team in the season opener due to school obligations.
They are expected to complement veterans Alex Cainglet, Bernie Ursal and Jerome Gadiane.
Tomorrow April 17, more MVBA action at the Cebu Coliseum follows as M. Lhuillier and Arthro switch opponents. The MVBA games may be seen over UHF channel Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN-47) and all its cable affiliates nationwide daily at 3:30 pm.
