M. Lhuillier takes on Alaska today

CEBU, Philippines - The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños will take on familiar foe opponent as they face the Alaska Aces in the opener of the Cebu City Mayor's Cup Basketball Invitational tonight at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

5 pm M. Lhuillier

vs. Alaska

7:30m pm Meralco

vs. Powerade

To start the ball rolling for the three-day tilt bankrolled by the Cebu city government of Cebu, the Cebu Niños, the country's undisputed king in commercial hoopdom, will clash with Alaska at 5 pm, right before the showdown between the Meralco Bolts and Powerade Tigers at 7:30 pm.

Playing for the first time without their longtime head coach Tim Cone who is now with the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados, the Aces of coach Joel Banal will try to defend their crown that will surely serve as a moral-booster for them when they start their campaign in the PBA All-Filipino Cup beginning October 2.

 Alaska will be led by their ace playmaker LA Tenorio along with Bonifacio Custodio, Tony de la Cruz, Joachim Thoss, Samigue Eman, Cyrus Baguio and Brandon Cablay.

 The rest of the Alaska roster includes Wesley Gonzales, Ervin Sotto, Paolo Bugia, Mark Borboran and rookies Eric Salamat and former M. Lhuillier mainstay Ariel Mepaña.

 Alaska’s sixth overall pick Mac Baracael will not be able to join the team as he is currently playing for Smart Gilas Pilipinas in the ongoing FIBA Asia Championships in Wuhan, China.

 On the other hand, the Niños of team owner Michel J. Lhuillier and legendary coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba will once again prove that they are the “Giant Killer of the South” as they seek another upset over the visiting PBA squad.

As usual, Alcoseba will bank on his reliable mainstays in the mold of Bruce Dacia, Stephen Padilla, Abby Santos, Richard Ian Saladaga, Franklin Nailon, Felix Belano and some bench power in the likes of forward Nat Cruz, Jayford Rodriguez, Ferdinand Lusdoc and newcomer Ramsey Williams.

The tournament follows a single round robin format. The team with the best record after three days of action will be automatically declared as champion. (FREEMAN)