Aquastars, Heroes eye second win
After a two-day ceasefire, action in the Visayas leg of the inaugural Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas Vismin Super Cup season resumes today with a heavy triple-header on tap at the Alcantara Civic Center in Alcantara town southeast of Cebu.
Top contenders MJAS Zenith-Talisay City Aquastars and the ARQ Builders LapuLapu City Heroes gun for their second straight win as they take on separate foes entering Week 2 of the country’s first ever professional basketball league based in southern provinces.
In a showdown of opening day winners, the Aquastars will go up against the KCSMandaue City Computer Specialists at 8 p.m., while the Heroes will mix it up with the Dumaguete City Warriors in the 2 p.m. curtain-raiser.
The other match-up of the day pits the Tabogon-Cebu Voyagers versus theTubigonBohol Mariners at 5 pm.
Behind the leadership of skipper Paulo Hubale, Cebuano “Assassin” Patrick Cabahug and the likes of Jan Jamon, Val Acuña, Jaymar Gimpayan, Lord Casajeros, Egie Boy Mojica, and Jhaymo Eguilos, the Aquastars announced their title intentions with a massive 104-66 victory over the Tubigon-Bohol Mariners in the historic first ever game of the Super Cup.
The Aquastars are expected to face tough challenge the equally-tough Computer Specialists, who are coming off a 66-46 rout of the Siquijor Mystics but Hubalde said they are ready for whatever Mandaue brings to the table.
“Na-scout namin game nila and we’ve made adjustments on how they attack and marking their main guys,” said Hubalde. “We have a game plan for them.”
As they shoot for backto-back wins, the Computer Specialists need to draw stellar performances anew from the likes of Gryann Mendoza, Al Francis Tamsi, Rhaffy Octobre, Monic Soliva and ex-CESAFI
Most Valuable Player Shaq Imperial among others.
“This will be the real test of who we are as a team. How we will be able to execute on defense will be the key,” said Mandaue KCS head coach Mike Reyes.
On the other hand, the Heroes hope to sustain the momentum of their 75-61 demolition of the Tabogon Voyagers when they battle the Warriors in the main game.
Tried and tested veterans Jojo Tangkay, Reed Juntilla, Ferdinand Lusdoc, Jerrick Canada, Hafer Mondragon and Rino Berami will once again carry the load for the Heroes on both ends of the court with support from their explosive young guns in John Abad, Fletcher Galvez, Dawn Ochea, and Rendell Senining.
The Heroes are extra cautious against the Warriors, who bowed to the Siquijor Mystics, 100-105, in their league debut three nights ago.
“We expect them to play hard and they will bounce back kasi nung first game nila natalo sila,” said Auquico. “Yun kasi ang delikado, a team na galing sa talo.”
James Regalado, Ronald Roy, and former CESAFI MVP Jaybie Mantilla are among the brightest stars of the Warriors that are hoping to pull an upset over the favored Heroes.