Vols have score to settle vs Blades in National opener

The Olongapo Volunteers have an axe to grind against the defending National Champion LBC Batangas Blades when they clash at 6 p.m. today in the inaugural twinbill of the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) National Tournament at the Olongapo Convention Center.

The Blades denied the Vols a championship stint in the First Conference, prevailing in their knockout semifinal game also at the Olongapo City Convention Center last May 19, 76-75.

Now the Vols get a chance to redeem themselves and prove that they really have the capability to contend for the title.

The Osaka Pangasinan Waves and the Pampanga Stars tangle in the 3 p.m opener, with the Waves raring to make a splash after a disappointing stint in the First Conference.

The celebrated tandem of Christopher Clay and Romel Adducul are again expected to lead the Waves, who missed the semifinals despite having one of the strongest rosters in the Northern Conference.

The Stars are no pushovers after getting proven scorers in Roland Pascual, Rafael Santos and Celino Cruz, who will only suit up for the Stars after finishing his commitments in the PBL . The Stars bid to hire 6-foot-6 Rysal Castro from Far Eastern University failed.

Alan Trinidad, newly designated head coach of the Stars, said that even without Castro they are ready to contend.

"The team has been doing well in our tune-up games.. Our running game is now in full swing and the players now have direction," said Trinidad, who has been named by Lubao Mayor and new Stars General Manager Dennis Pineda to take over from erstwhile playing head coach Renato Agustin. Freed from his coaching chores, Agustin will now be a full-time player.

Sans Castro, Trinidad said that he would likely give more playing time to 6’5" Fil-Am rookie Crispin Guintu, rotating him with veterans Dave Bautista, Billy Bansil and Edgar Ignacio.

Still, the Olongapo-LBC Batangas tussle should be the focus of attention owing to their brewing rivalry.