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Wednesday, December 15, 2004
ML Jewelers eye sweep at home
By Rommel C. Manlosa
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
AFTER stealing a game in Ilocos Sur, M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City eyes to sweep the next two games at home and end the best-of-five United Regional Basketball League championship series starting with Game 3 tonight.
“We will go all out for the win today and tomorrow,” said M. Lhuillier coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba. “The players told me that they don’t want to go back to Ilocos Sur for Game 5 and they’ll give their best to finish the series here as an early Christmas gift to the Cebuano fans.”
With the series tied at 1-1, a win for Cebu City tonight would put immense pressure on Ilocos Sur. Alcoseba believes the familiar confines of the Cebu Coliseum should serve them well today and in tomorrow’s Game 4.
Snipers’ optimism
The Jewelers swept both matches against the Snipers here in Cebu City – the first on opening day last Sept. 25, 78-68, and the second in the semifinals, 74-68, last Dec. 3.
However, Snipers head coach Mario Quitoriano believes they can buck the odds against Cebu City, saying his players are peaking just at the right time.
“The win in Game 2 boosted the team’s confidence. We hope to carry the momentum and win a game here in order to forge a deciding Game 5,” said Quitoriano.
In Game 2, the Snipers needed extra period to turn back the Jewelers and level the series after M. Lhuillier seized the home court advantage by surprising the Snipers in Game 1.
The Jewelers are currently led by Leo Bat-og, averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds in the series, doubling his semifinals scoring.
MVP contender
Joining him are top MVP contenders James Laygo and Bong Marata, who averages 18 and nine points per game respectively, ace point guard Woodraw Enriquez and the high-flying Bruce Dacia.
The Snipers, on the other hand, will rely anew on MVP contender Dondon Mendoza (16.0 ppg) and crowd favorite Francis Rauschmayer (12 ppg), who both increased their semifinals scoring by five points.
Before game time, the league will hand due recognition to its debut season’s Most Valuable Player, Mythical Five, and to the battle for third winner between Harbour Centre-Pampanga and Quezon Coco Huskers, who were still playing as of presstime at the University of the Assumption campus in San Fernando, Pampanga.
(December 15, 2004 issue)
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