Niños seek title vs. Meteors

CEBU, Philippines - The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu Niños seek the Smart-Liga Pilipinas Conference 3 "Super Leg" title tonight against Misamis Oriental Meteors at the Cebu Coliseum.This after the Meteors upended the Quezon Oilers 71-69 last night in the knockout game for the last final berth of the tournament. The Niños bagged the first final seat earlier.

 Even before the championship game could take place, Coach Raul "Yayoy"Alcoseba got an early incentive after being named as Coach of the Year while his long trusted point guard Woodrow Enriquez as MVP of the conference during the awards ceremony that preceded the knockout game.

Enriquez, who bested teammate Marlon Bascon and Ariel Mepaña, Eder Saldua of MisOr and Harold Sta. Cruz of Forward Taguig, said he didn't expect to win the coveted award but thanked his coach for encouraging him to do his best.

Meanwhile, Hans Thiele of Smart Pampanga claimed the Rookie of the Year award, Quezon Red Oiler's Luis Palaganas received the sportsmanship award and MisOr's Patrick Cabahug was voted as "Gunner of the Year."

Noli Eala, president and CEO of Liga Pilipinas, found time during the awards ceremony to recognize the effort of Misamis Oriental in the 2nd CBO-China ASEAN Men's Basketball Tournament in China last month where the team bagged the championship.

The do-or-die game between MisOr Meteors and Quezon Red Oilers was as close as could be with both teams fighting hard for the win.

The game was still a toss-up between both fighting teams and wasn't decided until the dying seconds of the game when the Meteors finally claimed the victory.

Coach Yayoy Alcoseba and his coaching staff stayed behind to watch the game and prepare for whatever surprises any of them could spring against the Cebu Niños.

Basketball aficionados, however, noted that an extra rest may give the Niños an advantage going into the championship match.   (FREEMAN NEWS)