4 teams out to crowd favorites in NBL tourney

Reigning Interclub champion Spring Cooking Oil of Malabon and three other teams — Cebu’s M. Lhuillier-Kwarta Padala, Pampanga’s University of Assumption and Mandaluyong’s Wang’s Ball Club — are raring and ready to get back at Luzon leg champion Shineway Ham Sausage of Ozamiz and finalist Forward Taguig when the National Basketball League’s Vis-Min phase unwraps on March 19 in Ozamiz City.

"Based on the format which keeps win-loss records in the Luzon leg, all these teams still have chances of emerging, not only as Vis-Min titlist, but also as first regional champion," said NBL executive vice president Nathaniel "Tac"Padilla, national shooting champ and Spring team owner.

Shineway and Taguig topped the Luzon leg with identical 4-1 slates, followed by Lhuillier (3-2), Spring Cooking oil (2-3), UA (2-3) and Wang’s (0-5).

All teams have beefed up their lineups, but so far, only Spring has announced its new recruits — Rolly Menor and Glenn Peter Yap, both of the Davao Eagles; and ex-Pharmaquick’s Edwin Pimentel. Former Blu star Francis Sanz has also strengthened the Cooking Oil Experts.

The top two teams will earn tickets to the semifinals with a twice to beat advantage with the third to sixth squads clashing in the quarters.