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FOUR teams kick off their respective title bids when
the PBL Unity Cup formally gets underway Tuesday at the Olivarez
Sports Center in Parañaque.
Cebuana Lhuillier Pera Padala,
one of the top favorites for the season-ending conference, tests the
mettle of the revamped San Miguel-Magnolia squad in the main game at
4 p.m. while Henkel Sista takes on Burger King, formerly Mail &
More, in the 2 p.m. curtain raiser.
The twinbill sets off with a
simple opening ceremony honoring Harbour Centre-Philippines
following its successful title run in the Seaba Champions Cup in
Jakarta, Indonesia, over the weekend.
Basketball godfather and Harbour
Centre team owner Mikee Romero, the coaching staff led by Junel
Baculi and all 12 players bannered by Toyota Balintawak star point
guard Marvin Cruz will be presented and feted by the league, led by
Commissioner Chino Trinidad and chairman Gil Angeles, for winning
the Philippines’ first international title following the lifting
of the FIBA suspension on the country.
Behind the gritty plays of Cruz,
the nationals defeated the Indonesians, 85-67, in the championship
game.
Fresh from its weeklong stint in
Jakarta, defending champion Harbour Centre took a bye on opening day
along with Toyota Balintawak and Dazz Sang Patak.
Keeping the core of the team that
reached the quarterfinals of the Silver Cup intact, the Moneymen
have been installed among the heavy picks to give Harbour Centre a
run for its money in its bid for a rare season sweep.
Ken Bono, Most Valuable Player of
the last UAAP men’s basketball season, is again at the helm of
Cebuana Lhuillier’s campaign, with the Ateneo duo of Macky
Escalona and Doug Kramer and Erik de la Cuesta expected to provide
major support.
But out to challenge them
outright are the Beverage Masters, known before as Magnolia Ice
Cream, who remain a formidable unit despite the decision of San
Beda’s championship core to temporarily cut its ties with the
team.
Out to lead San Miguel-Magnolia
this time are Far Eastern U stalwarts Jeff Chan and Jonas
Villanueva, University of the East star Bonbon Custodio and veteran
Al Magpayo.
Samigue Eman is reportedly playing well in the off-season, a
development that augurs well for Henkel Sista’s campaign.
Injuries forced the 6-foot-9
center to miss several games last conference, shoving the Super
Sealers out of the picture in the Silver Cup Final Four.
His marquee match up with Burger
King franchise player JR Quiñahan readily adds color to the opening
game kicking off the tournament.
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