"We lost to Southwestern University but it was a very good experience for me," said Hontiveros Friday, minutes before San Miguel Beer went up against Talk ‘N Text in the PBA All-Filipino Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
His UC Aguilas are not around in the Champions League 2002, the second coming of the Philippine Invitational, and neither is Southwestern University.
But the University of Visayas Green Lancers, coached by ex-pros Elmer Cabahug and Al Solis, are and so Hontiveros is urging all Visayan fans to support UV when it takes on University of the East today in the cross-over semifinals.
"Sana manood yung mga Cebuano fans dahil kailangan sila ng UV," said Hontiveros. "Kahit noong naglalaro pa ako sa college, grabe talaga ang suporta nila sa mga teams galing Cebu. Sana ganoon pa rin ngayon."
On UV’s chances against the powerful Red Warriors, Hontiveros, now a San Miguel starter, said: "Kung ma-limit nila si (James) Yap at (Ronald) Tubid, malayo ang mararating ng UV. Kailangan maganda ang depensa nila."
UV and UE, traditional regional rivals, clash at 1 p.m., while Far Eastern University battles University of Santo Tomas for the other finals berth at 3 p.m. in the tournament supported by San Miguel, Pagcor, PLDT, Wilson, Adidas, Hapee, PCSO and Petron.
The winners advance to the best-of-three finals, with Game One set Tuesday. Leading UE, other than Yap and Tubid, are point guard Paul Artadi, forward Jayarr Estrada and guards Arnold Booker and Olan Omiping.
UV is bannered by swingman Neil Rañeses, guard Ronaldo Bucao and rugged center Joseph Quiñahan.
The FEU Tamaraws, meanwhile, will be banking on Arwind Santos and Don Yabut to thwart the UST Growling Tigers, who will unleash Cyrus Baguio, Alwyn Espiritu and Jinino Manansala.