TITLE favorites M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu and Misamis Oriental shoot for win No. 1 when they collide against respective rivals Tuesday at the start of their best-of-three semifinal series in the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP).
The Niños, who topped the nine-leg elimination round by winning three leg titles, collide against the No. 4 Treston-Laguna Stallions at the Cebu City Coliseum while the No.2-ranked Meteors battle No. 3 Hobe Bihon-Taguig at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro City in the tournament jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League and Liga Pilipinas.
Both games start at 5 p.m. with Cebu and Misamis Oriental enjoying big psychological advantages due to their homecourt advantages.
Though the efforts of veterans Stephen Padilla, Ian Saladaga and Abby Santos, the Niños blasted MP Gensan, 91-83, while the Meteors, bannered by Patrick Cabahug, Eder Saldua and new addition Reed Juntilla, dispatched Ani-FCA, 85-82.
Taguig and Laguna, meanwhile, had to go the full route in winning their own quarterfinals series.