NBL Final 4 underway in Cebu

3 p.m. — Pampanga vs Forward Taguig

5 p.m. — M. Lhuillier-Cebu vs Compak-Ozamiz

CEBU CITY–The much-awaited 2003 NBL national championship’s best-of-three semifinal series unwraps today with elimination topnotcher M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu facing Compak Shineway-Ozamiz and the Pampanga Bulls meeting Forward Taguig at the new Cebu Coliseum here.

The Cebuanos are slightly favored in the 5 p.m. contest, but the odds are even in the 3 p.m. match between the Bulls and the spirited Taguig boys.

The Cebuanos will be out to settle an old score with the Ozamiz cagers in the tourney sponsored by Tanduay Rhum, Air Philippines, PCSO, Panasonic, Burlington, Cebu Ferries, SuperCat, Gatorade, Nature’s Spring Drinking Water, BJ Star Logistics, The Freeman, Sinners and Saints, Jaguar KTV and Molten Basketballs and telecast over IBC-13 through the facilities of Silverstar Communications with replays over Destiny Cable’s Prime Channel 61.

Compak Shineway nipped Lhuillier, 79-76, in their knockout match for the NBL regional crown last March 26 at the old Cebu Coliseum. But the Cebuanos have so far beaten the Ozamiz bets twice, 72-69 and 75-69, as they ruled the elimination round with an impressive 11-1 card.

"The boys are ready and raring," said Lhuillier coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba. "Besides, we don’t want to get humiliated again before our fans."

Arnold Rodriguez, Aldrin Ocanada, Darryl Smith, Bruce Dacia and Ruben dela Rosa are expected to carry the load for Lhuillier, while Ozamiz, now coached by veteran Francis Rodriguez, is expected to lean on Boyet Guererro, Fred Sampilo, Orly Alvarado and Steve Marucot.

Pampanga and Taguig, which split their two elimination matches and finished with identical 6-6 records, are expected to fight toe-to-toe from start to finish.

Bulls coach Alan Trinidad pins his hopes on MVP race leader Dave Bautista, Billy Bansil and young stars VJ Santos, Welihado Duyag and Elbert Alberto, while Taguig’s mentor Danny Gavierres is banking on veteran point guard Robin Mendoza, frontliners Jimmy Robillos, Miko Roldan and Leo Villar and promising Erwin Sta. Maria.