Wednesday, November 15, 2006 Aquastars battle Archangels in MVBA
ANOTHER thrilling doubleheader awaits the Cebuano basketball aficionados as action in the inter-division phase of the ML Kwarta Padala Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Second Conference continues today at the Talisay City Sports Complex.
Home team Talisay Aquastars of Coach Eddie Ybanez are expected to have their their hands full against the visiting Iligan Archangels of coach Ed Arugay.
Both teams are currently at third place in their respective divisions and each are hoping to move up in order to claim home court advantage in the playoffs of the league, which is being supported by ML Kwarta Padala, Nature’s Spring Drinking Water, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Reva Sandals, Gameface.Ph and Nike Basketball.
One thing going well for the Aquastars is the return of veteran gunner James Laygo from an injury that kept him out for the first six weeks of the conference.
The former SWU Cobra sniper Laygo can definitely help jack up the Aquastars’ offense, which is a paltry 65.0 points per outing.
The Aquastars, though, has the MVBA’s best defense as they limit their foes to just 66.6 ppg, a team characteristic that will come in handy for the Cebuanos to stop the Archangels’ potent offense anchored on scoring leader Dino Cabili and fellow scoring threats Jeffrey France, Francis Sanz and Marvin Tundag.
In the first game, Cebu Landmaster-Mantawi of coach Jun Tan battle the Lanao Royals of Gov. Imelda Q. Dimaporo and Coach Angelito Quidlat.
Mantawi has recently acquired veteran point guard Ernesto Billones and the team hopes he could restore order in their set plays.
Mantawi carries a 3-2 win-loss card, which is good for second place in the Visayas Division.
The Royals, for their part, are still a dangerous opponent despite their 1-5 record as the team has greatly improved since Coach Quidlat took over in midseason.
Mantawi’s strength lies in its backcourt trio of Alex Cainglet, Abe Galinato and Carlos Sayon, while Lanao has a tall and reliable frontline led by brothers Baltazar Jueves and Arlo Jueves and the burly Robert Valconcha.
Talisay was playing Lanao at press time last night at the Talisay City Sports Complex. (RCM)
