M. Lhuillier, MisOr figure in grudge title duel today

CEBU, Philippines - Inaugural champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños and defending titlist MisOr Meteors will rekindle their old rivalry as they slug it out for the Cebu pre-season games crown of the Smart-Liga Pilipinas tonight at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

5:00 pm Cebu Landmasters vs. Trace-Laguna

7:00 pm MisOr vs. M. Lhuillier

The Niños and the Meteors will collide at 7 pm, right after the battle for third place between the Mandaue-Cebu Landmasters and the Trace-Laguna Stallions at 5 pm.

M. Lhuillier and MisOr figured in a best-of-five finals series during the previous Liga Pilipinas Season 2, with the Meteors prevailing in Game 5.

Also, the Meteors take pride for being the only team to beat the Niños at home two times. Two weeks ago, they also tamed the Niños at their turf to rule the first leg of Liga’s pre-season sortie.

The Meteors of Gov. Oscar Moreno and coach Jun Noel hope to ride on that high morale as they traverse another tough challenge fighting the Niños at their lair.

The Meteors have added up firepower in their offensive arsenal by hiring the services of former pro star Neil Rañeses and erstwhile collegiate standouts Lyndon Gudez and Patrick John Cabahug.

Others hot Meteors that MisOr can count on are Mark Moreño, Melvin Mamacly, Philip Butel, Erian Daja, Mark Kong and Rocky Sanchez.

The Niños, on the other hand, rely heavily on their five-star armor in Bruce Dacia, Marlon Basco, Stephen Padilla, Woodrow Enriquez, and Abby Santos.

Coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba is also expected to squeeze the most from Alex Cainglet, Jonas Mark Ababon, John Malinao, Rino Berami, Ariel Mepaña and Franklin Nailon as they seek payback against the Meteors. – EBV (THE FREEMAN)