Sunday, June 29, 2008 Cebu Niños gear up for Pagadian leg of Liga Pilipinas
THE M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños is making the final preparation for the Pagadian leg of the 2008 Liga Pilipinas Championships in Pagadian City on July 2 to 6.
The Niños, winner of the Ilocos Sur leg in the league’s week 1 of the tour phase, is now looking for domination in the south as they go up against host Pagadian Explorers—the champion of the Misamis Oriental leg—Mis-Or Meteors and Trace Laguna Stallions.
Cebu will leave for Pagadian on Tuesday evening via Ozamiz City.
Niños coach Raul Alcoseba is now trying to correct the weakness of the squad— the point position—which was weakened by the loss of his ace point guard Woodrow Enriquez because of an injury during the pre-season games.
However, with Mark Jonas Ababon quickly adopting the system of the Niños and Art Atablanco beginning to gel with the team, Cebu is again as strong as ever.
Cebu will again bank on the explosive games of Bruce Dacia, who was named Best Player of the Ilocos Sur leg, together with the deadly frontcourt combination of Ron Capati and Marlon Basco and the deadeye sniping of Stephen Padilla.
Former UV center Rino Berami has also become a strong threat in the middle while sensational Jayford Rodriguez will be the man to watch in the tournament.
Meanwhile, in the Pampanga leg, host team Smart Pampanga Buddies swept its elimination round assignment after beating the Zamboanga Amores, 91-86.
Iloilo Mang Inasals, on the other hand, handed Tagaytay/Cavite Heroes a 76-67 beating at the University of the Assumption gym.
Meanwhile, Iloilo was to face the Amores for the first finals seat at press time, while Pampanga was to play the winless Heroes for the second slot to the finals in the main game. (RCM)
