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Sunday, March 28, 2004
Rañeses makes debut for Viva in PBL today
Games today
(Makati Coliseum)
1 p.m. - Opening
ceremonies
2 p.m. - Viva-FEU vs Toyota Otis-Letran
4 p.m. - Sunkist-UST vs Lee Pipes-Ateneo
THE acquisition of Cebuano standout Neil Rañeses will give additional firepower to the already lethal frontcourt of Viva-FEU as the former University of the Visayas Green Archer debuts today in the 2nd Unity Cup of the Philippine Basketball League at the Makati Coliseum.
With the backing of the PBL’s TV partner, Studio 23, the opening rites will have a touch of showbiz as some of ASAP-Mania’s segments will be held at the Makati Coliseum.
Sexy star Rica Peralejo and VJ Luis Manzano will host along with starlets Michelle Baile, Michelle Estevez, Cherry Lou, Gem Ramos, April Tolentino, Kathy Mori and Pam Sarmiento.
“This is perhaps our grandest opening rites in years with all the production numbers and other gimmicks,” said PBL Commissioner Chino Trinidad.
Jon-Jon Tabique, a former UP player, whose dream of playing in the league was cut short because of lymphatic cancer, will be the kickoff rite’s guest of honor. The 21-year-old Tabique will deliver an inspirational talk.
The 6-foot-4 Rañeses, the top pick of the recent PBL Rookie Draft, however, needs to prove his worth to Viva-FEU coach Coy Banal – who will rely on the frontcourt combination of Mark Isip, Arwind Santos and Gerard Jones from his FEU Tamaraw bench.
Banal saw Rañeses, former Cesafi MVP, play a few games in the Cebu Basketball Federation tournament and Banal took in the Masbate native.
Rañeses and the Tamaraws will be tested by the Lee Pipes-Ateneo bench led by Cebuano Larry Fonacier, LA Tenorio, JC Intal in the game.
The Eagles have been boosted by the presence of Niño Gelig and veteran Marlon Basco.
The main game will feature newcomer Toyota Otis-Letran against UST-Sunkist.
Other teams that will try to take the title from defending champions Hapee Toothpastes are PBL mainstays Montaña Pawnshop, Welcoat Paints and Blustar detergents. RCM
(March 28, 2004 issue)
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