CEBU, Philippines - It’s James Yap and his comrades’ turn to show off their hoop skills before the scrutinizing eyes of Cebuano fans as the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants clash with the multi-titled M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños in a charity exhibition match this Monday at the Cebu Coliseum. Showtime begins at 6 pm.
Though heavily favored, the Giants must not in any way take the Niños lightly as the storied M. Lhuillier franchise has slowly built a distinct reputation of being a PBA slayer having defeated a bunch of pro squads in the past such as Red Bull Barako, Talk n’ Txt Phone Pals, Sta. Lucia Realtors and most recently the Alaska Aces.
In their head-on collision against the Dondon Hontiveros-led San Miguel Beermen kicking off their four-game marathon against PBA teams two weeks ago, M. Lhuillier wiped out an 18-point deficit but went on to lose by a decent nine points, 73-82.
M. Lhuillier though bounced back in style, drowning the Alaska Aces by 25 points on the way to a 75-55 blowout seven nights ago.
That should serve as an ominous warning for the Giants.
Aside from the charismatic James Yap, the other crowd-pleaser on the Giants side for sure is Cebuano hotshot Roger Yap, who once played for the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in his collegiate years with the defunct Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (now the CESAFI).
Completing the Purefoods roster in their Cebu joust are Peter June Simon, Don Allado, Kerby Raymundo, Richard Yee, new acquisition Raffy Reavis, and rookies Chris Timberlake and Rico Maeirhoffer.
The Niños, on the other hand, will squeeze the most from Bruce Dacia, Stephen Padilla, Woodrow Enriquez and Marlon Basco as they attempt to knock out another PBA heavyweight.To accomplish that gargantuan mission, they need the support of Ariel Mepaña, Mark Jonas Ababon, Richard Ian Saladaga, Abby Santos, and Franklin Nailon.
After Purefoods, the Niños will train their sights next on the Brgy. Ginebra Kings on September 21 still at the Coliseum.—EBV (FREEMAN NEWS)