Lhuillier, Laguna gun for crucial victories

Cebuana Lhuillier and FedEx Laguna shoot for a win against separate foes today in a couple of games that could determine their respective fates in the next round of the first phase of the 2001 MBA season.

The Gems clash with the Nueva Ecija Patriots at 3 p.m. at the Araullo Centrum Gym in Cabanatuan City while the Lakers battle the Davao Eagles at 5:30 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial College Gym in Davao.

Cebuana Lhuillier, built around workhorse Mat Mitchell, is seeking to join Negros at third spot with a win over Nueva Ecija, which is holding on to dear life with a 2-8 slate. The Gems are at fourth with an 8-4 record, a half-game behind the Slashers (9-4 ).

Although the Gems are heavily-favored to repeat over the Patriots following a 96-81 win in their first encounter two weeks back, expect coach Jojo Villa’s boys to give them a scare before a hometown crowd.

Villa said their defense will focus on the power-playing Mitchell, who is almost unstoppable in the shaded area if given enough space to maneuver.

"If we can at least contain, if not stop, Mitchell, we have a strong chance of beating Cebu," said Villa, whose Patriots absorbed a 104-113 loss to the Andok’s San Juan Knights in their last outing.

A loss for the Patriots and a win for the Lakers will automatically ease them from the race to the next round with the fifth and last team battling the No. 4 squad in a knockout match for the last berth in the semifinal round. – Joey Villar