M. Lhuillier battles Cebu Landmasters in friendly match tonight in Balamban

CEBU, Philippines - The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños and the Mandaue-Cebu Landmasters will once again cross paths in the hardcourt, this time via a goodwill encounter starting at 7:00 tonight at the Balamban Sports Complex.

M. Lhuillier and Cebu Landmasters had already clashed once this year, with the Niños prevailing by just five points, 77-72, during the Misamis Oriental leg of the Smart-Liga Pilipinas Conference III three weeks ago at the Xavier University gymnasium in Cagayan de Oro City. The Niños went on to snatch the MisOr leg championship.

Overall, the Niños of team owner Michel J. Lhuillier and legendary coach Raul "Yayoy" D. Alcoseba are unfeated in sweeping three Liga Pilipinas legs, so far, including at home and in Quezon Province. They currently pace the standings with 45 points that earned them automatic berth to the "Super Five" that will determine the National Champion this November.

As usual, the likes of Bruce Dacia, Stephen Padilla, Ariel Mepaña, Woodrow Enriquez and Mark Ababon will be at the cornerstone of the Niños' offense. They are expected to draw heavy support from Marlon Basco, Richard Ian Saladaga, Warren Ybañez, Abby Santos, Franklin Nailon, and Mark Magsumbol, who will make his debut under M. Lhuillier's fold.

The Cebu Landmasters, who takes pride for fighting to a 79-all draw with PBA's Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings a week ago at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex, will bank on Boyet Bautista, Francis Mercado, Alex Cainglet, JP Alcaraz, Rino Berami and Enrico Llanto.

Meanwhile, M. Lhuillier will take on another PBA squad in Coca-Cola Tigers in a charity exhibition match this Friday at the Cebu Coliseum.

In the past four weeks, M. Lhuillier posted a 1-3 win-loss record in its four-game marathon against PBA heavyweights. They beat the Alaska Aces to the pulp, 75-55, but lost to San Miguel Beermen, 82-83, Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, 73-65, and to Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings, 76-71.

Playing against five PBA teams in just one-and-a-half month span is unprecedented in the history of M. Lhuillier franchise. – EBV (THE FREEMAN)