Unity Cup under way

A pair of blockbuster matches and the rare appearance of a Filipino boxing icon, who recently figured in a blockbuster pay-per-view showdown in Las Vegas, highlight the opening of the 2005 PBL Unity Cup today at the Makati Coliseum.

Fiery guard Mark Cardona and new partner LA Tenorio will try to outshine the tested duo of Alex Compton and Jondan Salvador when Harbour Centre collides with Montaña Pawnshop .

The Jewels, bidding for back-to-back titles after their breakthrough win in the Open Championship two months ago, and the Port Masters, a team built around bitter collegiate rivals — Ateneo and La Salle — take the floor at 4 p.m. with no team claiming to have a clear advantage against the other.

Clashing in an equally interesting match at 2 p.m. are Granny Goose Kornets and Bacchus Energy Drink.

RJ Quiñahan, fondly called "Baby Shaq" back in Cebu is expected to lead the assault of the SnackMasters who are seeking to improve on their fourth place finish in the Open Championship.

Bacchus, formerly known as Air Philippines, will be bannered by a pair deadly shooters in Paulo Hubalde and Jemal Vizcarra.

While Harbour and Montaña have several big-name players in their rosters, all eyes will be on the marquee showdown between Cardona and Compton, two players with distinct qualities — one is rugged but explosive while the other is cool and calculating.

Of course, the biggest star for the day is no less than Manny Pacquiao who will receive a ‘Gawad ng Kagitingan’ award from league officials, led by

Commissioner Chino Trinidad.

The special rite will be held as part of the special program ushering the 2004-05 season-ending tournament.

The short opening rites start promptly at 1 p.m. with movie personalities Aleck Bovick and April Tolentino to perform sexy dance numbers. Also invited to perform are Solid Gold dancers and Montserrat singers.

"Though Manny lost the fight, he won not only th hearts of Filipinos but also also some nationalities.

He showed great fighting spirit and this is what I want to instill among our young players," said Trinidad.

Trinidad, now on his fifth season as head of the country’s premier basketall league foresees another tough and interesting conference with the enrty of Harbour Centre and Nenaco-San Beda.

"All teams are strong, they are all capable of winning the championship," said Trinidad. "Even newcomers like Harbour and Nenaco are title contenders."

Magnolia Dairy Ice Cream is the defending champion but won’t see action until Tuesday. Other members of the eight-team field are perennial title contender Welcoat Paints and Toyota Otis-Letran.

The Jewels remain strong as ever as coach Robert Sison has retained practically all the players that helped the team end its string of misfortunes and misadventures since joining the league in 1998.

Though the team has the most potent frontcourt combinations with the presence Salvador, Al Magpayo, Francis Mercado, Kenneth Bono and Alwin Espirity, Sison remains wary of their chances against the Port Masters, saying: "I have great respect for the coaching staff of Harbour. Even their players are all talented, so it’s going to be a tough game for us."

Harbour coach Tonichi Yturri believes the Jewels have the edge in the middle but they are expected to use their speed and trapping defense to the fullest to make up for the team’s lack of ceiling.

Viva hot babes’ Jen Rosendal, JC Parker and Gwen Garci are the muses of Harbour Centre while Granny Goose will have Maye Santos. Commercial model Tessa Nieto will parade with Montaña, Shiela Tan for Toyota Otis-Letran while Vicky Lyn G. Soliven and Patricia Alexandra Limjoco for Welcoat.