Slashers, Gems battle for Southern crown

The Negros Slashers and the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems dispute the MBA Second Phase Southern Conference crown today in the concluding Game Five of their title series at the University of St. La Salle Gym in Bacolod City.

Both teams gained an extra two-day rest after the game originally slated Friday was postponed due to typhoon Quedan.

Beaten by the Gems, 93-85, in Game Four on Wednesday night at the Cebu City Coliseum, the Slashers are aching to exact revenge and bring joy to their provincemates in the 5 p.m. encounter at the University of St. La Salle Gym in Bacolod City.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an easy task as the Gems are also determined to snare the title and have proven in Game One that they can beat the Slashers even in Bacolod, 86-84.

Whoever wins between the Slashers and the Gems would barge into the best-of-five national finals against the waiting LBC Batangas Blades.

The Blades subdued the Andok’s San Juan Knights, 88-83, also Wednesday to clinch the Northern Conference crown in Game Four, 3-1. Having emerged as the elimination round topnotcher, the Blades will enjoy the homecourt edge be it against the Slashers or the Knights.

Based on the past four games, the Slashers-Gems tussle should be a thriller. Only Game Two was decided by twin digits with the Slashers winning, 103-88, at the USLS Gym.

For the Slashers to prevail, they must jump the gun on the Gems, who have done the same to them in games three and four in Cebu City.

As usual, Negrenses are expected to come up in droves in support of the Slashers, who enjoy the biggest following in the league this season.

Negros coach Robert Sison will again bank on John Ferriols, Johnedel Cardel, Dennis Madrid, Reynel Hugnatan and Cid White in their bid to cop their third conference title.

Other Slashers who can be depended upon are Ruben dela Rosa, Leo Bat-og and Jomar Tierra.

For his part, Gems mentor Tonichi Yturri will draw firepower from Peter Naron, Stephen Padilla, Homer Se, Al Solis and Joey Santamaria.

The Slashers-Gems tussle will be telecast live over National Broadcasting Network Channel 4.