MVBA Second Conference: M. Lhuillier starts title defense today

The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City Jewelers start their title retention campaign today when they clash with the rejuvenated Cebu Landmaster-Mantawi kicking off the Visayas Division hostilities of the ML Kwarta Padala Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Second Conference.

The lone encounter is set at 5:30 pm at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

The Jewelers of businessman-sportsman Michel Lhuillier and head coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba will parade the very same lineup that topped the MVBA First Conference via three-game sweep of GenSan Pacman (now MP Warriors-GenSan) in their best-of-five finals some few months back in General Santos City.

Explosive guards Woodrow Enriquez, Stephen Padilla and Mike Manigo are expected to carry M. Lhuillier's offensive load on their shoulders.

The likes of Jayford Rodriguez, Enrico Llanto, Danny Aying, Alano Caputolan, Marlon Piodo and Aldrin Ocañada, however, cannot be taken for granted as they all can explode at any given time.

The only addition to M. Lhuillier's roster is Arletroy Mercader, Llanto's teammate at the USC Warriors.

On the other side, the Cebu Landmaster-Mantawi of realtor Joe Soberano and coach Jun Tan fortified its offensive arsenal by acquiring former pro standout and Mandaue City native Dale Singson.

With his impressive track record while playing for San Miguel Beer, Shell and Coca-Cola Tigers in the PBA, Singson would easily become the heart-and-soul of the team.

Aside from Singson, Cebu Landmaster-Mantawi (formerly carrying the name of Toledo City) also has 6-foot-6 center Joel Solis, veteran playmaker Raul Redulosa and perimeter gunners Abe Galinato and Michael Luga to backstop their inside-outside assault.

They will join forces with coach Tan's holdovers from his Toledo lineup in Alex Cainglet, Bernie Ursal, Rex Mangubat, Richard Ian Saladaga, Carlos Sayon and Luther Luke Justiniani.

Completing the four-team Visayas Division are the MLSDF-Talisay City Aquastars of coach Eddie Ybañez and the Toyota-Iloilo Warriors.

Meanwhile, the MP Warriors and the Iligan Archangels of Mayor Lawrence Cruz part ways at 6:00 tonight as they slug it out at the Almendras Gym in Davao City in the continuing Mindanao Division action.

Both teams are tied in the middle of the standings with 1-1 win-loss cards.