SMC, Star shoot for 3rd win in row

Allan Caidic and Samboy Lim get another chance to play side by side as fancied San Miguel Corp. guns for its third straight victory against ABS-CBN in the resumption today of the Philippine Star Friendship League at the Meralco Gym.

With Caidic firing five triples, the SMC cagers blasted the Biboy Ravanes-mentored RFM-Swift Hotdogs side, 80-61, on opening day before thumping United Coconut Planters Bank, 70-63, the following week.

In San Miguel’s initial win, Caidic, coach of the Barangay Ginebra in the PBA, sizzled with 34 points while Lim came through with 31 points, making the team the heavy favorite in their 8:30 a.m. encounter with two-time Bibato champion ABS-CBN, which totes an even 1-1 card.

Like San Miguel, host The Star, managed by Kevin Belmonte and supported by Adidas, seeks its third straight win against UCPB, winless in two outings, in the last of a three-game bill at 11:30 a.m.

Backstopped by Jon De Guzman and Joey Viduya, The Star, a five-time inter-publication champion, turned back ABS-CBN in its first match, 80-61, before dominating Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, 89-73.

Also seeing action in this meet organized by The STAR’s CEO Miguel Belmonte to foster camaraderie and friendship with the host’s advertisers and partners are RFM-Swift (0-2) and RCBC, which face each other at 10 a.m.

Admission is free in this tournament which is being played every week. Also to see action are former PBA player Hector Calma, and San Miguel Beer assistant coaches Art Dela Cruz and Siot Tanquincen. — Joey Villar