Barako faces Meralco in Minglanilla tonight

CEBU, Philippines - Action in the Cebu-Leyte Cup basketball tournament shifts to higher gear in Minglanilla today with a double-header on tap topbilled by a blockbuster showdown of PBA teams at the Minglanilla Sports Complex.

The Barako Bull Energy Cola will take on the Meralco Bolts in the main game at 9 p.m., right after the equally-exciting match pitting the Samsam Gullas-Panalay Tailoring team versus Davao regional champion Goldstar Hardware at 7 p.m.

Both the Barako Bull and Goldstar Hardware are needing a win to bolster their chances of dominating this charity event for the benefit of typhoon Yolanda survivors.

The Barako Bull kicked off their campaign with a 61-52 triumph over Samsam Gullas-Panalay Tailoring, while Goldstar Hardware dropped a bombshell when it rolled past the fancied Brgy. Ginebra Kings, 90-87, last Thursday at the Hinundayan gymnasium in Hinundayan, a bustling coastal town in Southern Leyte.

As of this writing last night, the Barako Bull and Goldstar Hardware played against separate foes still in Hinundayan, and whatever the results will be, it will set up the stage for crucial games tonight in Minglanilla.

The opening match between the Ice Gravador-mentored Goldstar Hardware and Samsam Gullas-Panalay Tailoring of coach Bong Pineda will be highlighted by the clash of former University of the Visayas imports in Steve Cedrick Akomo and Mike Harry Nzesseu.

They powered the Green Lancers to a memorable championship in last year's Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Incorparated season, but they will be going separate ways this time. Akomo will wear the uniform of Samsam Gullas-Panalay Tailoring, while Nzesseu will suit up for Goldstar Hardware.

Akomo will be backed by four other foreign cagers in Ramsey Williams, Christian Sentheu, Jean Jacques Manga and Emmanuel Ojuola. Completing their roster are Ferdinand Lusdoc, Harold Cincoflores, Jovanie Aguilar, Patrick Cabahug, Reed Friar Juntilla, Jayford Rodriguez, and Ronaldo Bucao.

Nzesseu, on the other hand, will be joining forces with Devon Sullivan (former import of Thailan in the Asian Basketball League), ex-PBA stalwarts  Leomar Losentes and Marlon Basco and Darwin Cordero among others.

In the all-PBA duel, Barako Bull will bannered by the likes of Chico Lanete, JC Intal, Nico Salva, Dennis Miranda, Mick Pennisi, Jondan Salvador, William Wilson, Ryan Garcia, Jeric Fortuna, Carlo Lastimosa, David Marcelo, Leomar Najorda and rookie draftee Elvin Jake Pascual.

On the Meralco side, coach Norman Black will bank on Mike Cortez, Reynel Hugnatan, Rey Guevarra, Clifford Hodge, James Ryan Sena, Wilfredo Vizcarra, Niceforo Pagobo, Joeriz Clemente, Magdalino Martin, and John Marion Wilson.

The finale of this five-day joust will take place tomorrow at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex. The Barako Bull will square off against Goldstar Hardware in the 4 p.m. opener, while Ginebra will slug it out with Meralco at 6 p.m.

Tickets are priced at P150 (upperbox), P250 (stage), and P500 (ringside) for the Minglanilla games and P200 (upperbox), P400 (stage), P500  (lowerbox), and P700 (ringside) for the Mandaue finale.

Tickets are available at New Reroma Pharmacy in Poblacion Ward 1, Minglanilla, Bigstart Travel assistance at Robinsons-Talisay, Cebu Coliseum, and at The Old Spaghetti House in SM City-Cebu. For more inquiries, one may call 0932-6448871, 0923-7482110, 0922-5183771, 0917-6888890, 0998-3985159, or 422-8988.

(FREEMAN)