Cebu, MisOr renew rivalry: Kick off best-of-five finals showdown for TOP title today

CEBU, Philippines – League heavyweights M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños and Misamis Oriental (MisOr) Meteors rekindle their storied rivalry as they clash head-on today in the opener of their best-of-five finals series for the historic title of the inaugural Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) at the Cebu Coliseum.

Game time is set at 6   pm. Given the history of their scathing rivalry that now spanned for over three years since the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) days, Cebuano hard-court fanatics are about to witness a surefire blockbuster showdown between the bitter enemies that could both lay claim as having the most formidable lineups in the joint tournament bankrolled by Liga Pilipinas and Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

"It's going to be a classic finals series. As we know, MisOr is also a very strong team and for sure they will give us a tough challenge," said M. Lhuillier's legendary bench tactician Raul "Yayoy" D. Alcoseba. "But we've also prepared hard and we will be ready for whatever they will bring."

Though armed with a homecourt advantage, the Niños of team owner Michel J. Lhuillier and legendary coach Raul "Yayoy" D. Alcoseba should brace themselves for one big war as the Me-teors have already proven several times in the past that they're a tough costumer to handle everytime they invade Cebu.

The Meteors even carry with them the reputation as the only team that is consistent in taming the mighty Niños at the latter's turf.

In fact, MisOr dealt Cebu its most painful defeat when it crushed the Niños, 64-52, before a shocked Cebuano crowd to clinch the Smart-Liga Pilipinas Conference 2 national championship last April 20, 2009 at the Cebu Coliseum.

Showing the heart of a champion that can never be easily broken, the Niños took their frustrations as a challenge and eventually as an instrument for a better things to come for them.

True enough, the Niños bounced back in style and lashed back at the Meteors in devastating fashion to win the Liga Pilipinas Conference 3 via an amazing 21-game winning streak. It marks for the first time in the fabled M. Lhuillier franchise that it snatched a major crown undefeated.

In the TOP, bad blood once again escalated between Cebu and MisOr. Last July 29 at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro City, the Meteors trounced the Niños in a highly-physical, fight-marred game.

A nasty free-for-all erupted, while several spectators pelted the Cebu players with bottled mineral water. As a result, Cebu's Nat Cruz suffered a bloodied nape brought by cuts and a swol-len eye.

The following day, the Niños gained a certain measure of sweet revenge when they shot down the Meteors, 75-71, to take home the 8th leg crown of the TOP.

Now that their paths crossed for the nth time, expect one hell of a fight especially that their encounter swings to a higher level in terms of prestige and bragging rights.

In chasing for another history, the Niños will count the most from Bruce Dacia, Stephen Padilla, Marlon Basco, Ariel Mepaña, Abby Santos and flashy guard Froilan Baguion. The likes of Ian Saladaga, Nat Cruz, Mark Magsumbol, Hafer Mondragon, Warren Ybañez and Frank Nailon are always on call to added firepower to Cebu's offensive arsenal.

The Meteors, on the other hand, will bank on the potentials of Neil Rañeses, Ronald Lamocha, Eder Saldua, Khiel Misa, Mark Andaya, Ramil Tagupa and Mark Moreno. They will be rein-forced by newcomers Reed Friar Juntillas, Ronald Capati and Ronald Reguerra.

The Niños will host the first two games of series. Action shifts to Cagayan de Oro for Game 3 on Friday and if needed, Game 4 on Saturday. If still needed, the deciding Game 5 will be in Cebu on September 14. (FREEMAN)