CEBU, Philippines – If plans don't miscarry, the multi-titled M. Lhuillier ballclub will bring its storied franchise to a higher level and perhaps to even far, greater heights.
Cebu's legendary basketball coach Raul "Yayoy" D. Alcoseba yesterday dropped a bombshell in the local sports world when he revealed that there's a big possibility that the M. Lhuillier Group of Companies will most likely join the PBA next year.
Although he admitted that such highly ambitious endeavor entails a lot of considerations particularly on the financial aspect, Alcoseba said joining Asia's first pro cage league is of their advantage marketing wise as it would give them huge exposure especially that the multi-million company owned by Michel J. Lhuillier is continually expanding its business empire.
For M. Lhuillier to become part of the PBA family, it must pay at least P60 million franchise fee, although it could be less if it buys directly from a franchise owner.
"There's a big possibility that we (M. Lhuillier) will be joining the PBA next year. That's why we are testing the waters by consistently playing against PBA teams," said Al-coseba in a news conference yesterday at Yayoy's Grill and Resto Bar.
This weekend at the University of San Carlos (USC)-Main gym, two powerhouse PBA squads will gang up on the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños.
On Saturday, M. Lhuillier will go up against the newly-crowned PBA Fiesta Conference champion Alaska Aces. The following day, the formidable kingpin of the country's commercial hoopdom will square off against the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados. Game time is both set at 5 pm.
The twin hardcourt showdown have exciting features. Unlike in their previous encounter won by M. Lhuillier, Alaska of coach Tim Come will parade an all-Filipino lineup, this time with Cyrus Baguio around.
Completing the Aces roster are LA Tenorio, Tony de la Cruz, Joachim Thoss, Joe Devance, Mark Borboran, Reynel Hugnatan, Samigue Eman, Michael Burtscher, Michael Robinson, Elmer Espiritu, Ervin Sotto and Bonbon Custodio.
On the B-Meg side, reigning MVP James Yap, the estranged husband of presidential sister and ultra popular TV personality Kris Aquino, will come over to dazzle the Ce-buano fans with his flashy moves and sweet-shooting touch.
The rest of James Yap's comrades who will troop to the Queen City of the South include Cebuano hotshot Roger Yap, Jr., Peter June Simon, Nino Canaleta, Jondan Salvador, Rico Maierhofer, Jonathan Fernandez, Raffy Reavis, Jonas Villanueva, Christopher Timberlake, Jerwin Gaco and Don Carlos Allado.
"Alaska will field in an all-Filipino lineup and this time they already have Cyrus Baguio. They have also just won the PBA Fiesta Conference title. Against B-Meg, it would be an added challenge for us because James Yap will be around," said Alcoseba."With regards to us, we're also coming off a championship finish so I foresee a very exciting games. I just hope the Cebuanos will come and root for our team."
Alcoseba recently piloted the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños to the first ever championship of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP), a joint venture of the Philip-pine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas.
The dreaded Stephen Padilla, Bruce Dacia and Marlon Basco troika is expected to be at the cornerstone of M. Lhuillier's offense. But for them to slay the visiting PBA giants, they needed the support of Ariel Mepaña, Abby Santos, Frank Nailon, Nat Cruz, Hafer Mondragon , Ian Saladaga, Mark Magsumbol and cat-quick guards Mark Ababon, Warren Ybañez and Froilan Baguion.
Tickets for the back-to-back invitational games are pegged at P100 for general admission and P200 for ringside. (FREEMAN)