Four PBA teams to gang up on M. Lhuillier

CEBU, Philippines - The sports-loving Cebuanos brace themselves for bigtime basketball action not just one but four times in succession starting off with the showdown between the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City Niños and the San Miguel Beermen this Saturday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Teams from the PBA play regularly each year in the Queen City of the South, but this marks for the first time in the history of Cebu hoopdom that four squads from the country’s pro league will be coming over to strut their wares in just a one-month span.

“This is part of M. Lhuillier’s commitment to provide the Cebuanos a hardcourt entertainment they truly deserve,” said the highly-esteemed league organizer and legendary coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba.

The M. Lhuillier-San Miguel encounter is part of the community outreach project of Cebuano cage star Dondon Hontiveros. Part of its proceeds will go to charitable institutions.  

M. Lhuillier will face next the Alaska Aces on September 4, take on the Purefoods Chunkee Giants on September 14 and then mix it up with the Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings on September 21.

“It’s unprecented in Cebu basketball history that four PBA teams will play in Cebu within a month. The Cebuanos will surely love this because it’s a rare chance for them to see dozens of their PBA idols play right before their eyes,” said Alcoseba.

“The PBA teams are very tough to beat, but we will definitely put up a good fight and try to score at least one victory,” he added.

Alcoseba recently steered the Cebu Niños to the Cebu leg championship of the Smart-Liga Pilipinas Conference 3. They dismantled the Trace-Laguna Stallions in the final to earn 15 points.

M. Lhuillier’s upcoming joust against the PBA heavyweights is very timely as they are girding up for the MisOr leg of liga Pilipinas slated from September 9 to 12 in Cagayan de Oro City. That stage will feature the return of Mandaue-Cebu Landmasters as well as the grudge rematch between Cebu and reigning champion MisOr Meteors. (THE FREEMAN)