LBC Blades eye win No. 2

Reigning national champion LBC Batangas shoots for a second straight win today when it goes up against a beleaguered Pampanga squad in the MBA First Conference at the Centro Escolar University Centrodome in Malolos, Bulacan.

The Blades lost their first two games this conference before barging into the win column last Sunday, beating the Osaka Pangasinan Waves, 92-83, in San Fabian, Pangasinan.

Eddie Laure, last year’s MVP awardee, spelled the difference in that game against the Waves, now led by former LBC Batangas superstar Romel Adducul.

The Pampanga Stars, on the other hand, are on a slump, losing three of their first four games, including a humiliating 75-94 loss to newcomer Olongapo over the weekend. Also sporting a 1-4 record is Cagayan de Oro.

Cebuana Lhuillier, running second at 3-1, and Cagayan de Oro were still battling each other at the Cebu City Coliseum as of presstime. The Gems went 3-0 before absorbing a 91-96 loss to RCPI Negros last Saturday.

The Slashers are currently sharing the top spot with the Olongapo Volunteers at 3-1.

Meanwhile, the Negros Slashers’ new recruit Jose Francisco was named MBA Hardcourt Hero for the period April 16-21.

The 6-foot-3 shooting forward out of FEU scored 25 points, including 18 from the three-point area, to lead the Slashers past the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Saturday night at the Cebu Coliseum.