Prime Asia, Kia Motors begin title duel this pm

CEBU, Philippines - The top-ranked Prime Asia-UV Lancers and surprise finalist Kia Motors/CIT-U Wildcats will begin their best-of-five title showdown in the 6th CESAFI Partner's Cup men's basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

Prime Asia will go up against Kia Motors at 6:45 pm, right after the Lion Tiger Katol/USJ-R Jaguars collide with the San Marino Corned Tuna/USPF Panthers in their own race-to-2 battle for the third place trophy starting at 5 pm.

UV Lancers head coach Felix "Donbel" Belano, Jr. is gunning for his second straight Partner's Cup crown as he steered Lion Tiger Katol to the championship last year via a 3-0 sweep of the Gaisano Capital-UC Webmasters.

Though heavily favored, Belano is not taking any chances against Kia Motors as he feels that even if they have the post advantage courtesy of big men Wowie Escocio, Rene Jun Saycon and Andrew Avillanoza, they still need to match up Kia's vaunted running game.

Prime Asia swept Kia Motors in the double round elimination and then walloped the CIT-U-manned squad by a wide margin, 97-76, during the semifinals. But Belano humbly admitted that the finals would be a different level.

 “Lisud pildihon ang CIT (Kia Motors) karon kay gutom og championship mao nga amo gyung gi-preparahan ang ilahang duwa kung unsaon namo pag-control nila,” said Belano.

For his part, Kia Motors chief tactician Gilbert Demape perceives Prime Asia as a heavyweight opponent that is very tough to knock down.

“Dili basta-basta ang mga players sa Prime Asia kay advantage sila sa tanang positions kontra namo,” said Demape.

Even if they are the obvious underdogs, Demape said he will motivate his wards not to give up and instead show their best to please their fans.

With heady playmaker Floyd Taboada providing leadership on both ends of the court, Kia Motors is definitely no patsy rival. - THE FREEMAN