CEBU. - ML Kwarta Padala-Cebu and Harbour Centre-Taguig clash
MONDAY |SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 | PHILIPPINESin Game 1 of the Smart-Liga-Pilipinas Finals at the New Cebu Coliseum.
The two teams have met once in the elimination round on June
18 in Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur, with Cebu hammering out a 98-93 overtime
victory.
Taguig had come back from a 47-31 halftime deficit to pull
even 82-all at the end of regulation before losing steam in the extra period.
Mark Ababon led the Niños with 23 points that day, hitting 10
of 10 free throws, while teammates Bruce Dacia added 22 with eight rebounds and
Stephen Padilla 20 points.
The three are expected to again figure prominently for Cebu
coach Yayoy Alcoseba, with support coming from Jayford Rodriguez, Marlon Basco,
Danilo Aying, Ron Capati and Ian Saladaga.
The intensely-partial Cebu crowd will make life hellish for
the visiting Batang Global and coach Jude Roque will have to pry the best from
Noy Javier, Lou Gatumbato, Marvin Ortiguerra, Paul Reguerra, Ronnie Matias, Niño
Marquez and Boyet Bautista.
"We will surely have our hands full against the best team in
the league, especially now that we lost our top scorer (Noy Javier) to a
shoulder injury and also center-forward Anthony Cuevas to the pros," said Taguig
coach Jude Roque.
"Some key players are also playing hurt. But we have survived
tough situations before. If we play together and give our best, we have a
chance. We especially need to improve our defense."
Cebu also hosts Game 2 on Tuesday before the best-of-five
championship series backed by Rexona, Accel, Burlington, Molten, Metathione,
Nature Spring, Pagcor Sports and Laptop Phoneshop, shifts to the C.P. Tinga gym
in Taguig for Game 3 and, if necessary, Game 4.
Holding the homecourt advantage after emerging with the best
win-loss record, the Niños will host the Batang Global to a fifth and deciding
Game 5, if necessary.
"The Liga finals is a culmination of the dreams of
communities turned into reality," said Liga chief executive Noli Eala.
"Quite significantly, the finalists - Cebu Ninos and Taguig Batang Global -
represent what Liga dreamt of achieving: a merger of the best basketball
traditions of the regions. We celebrate the Liga finals as a triumph of the true
Filipino pride and Filipino spirit."
