Hopes high for Lhuillier five in NBL

Cebu’s M. Lhuillier-Kwarta Padala Jewellers hope to live up to the expectation of Cebuano fans when they make a bid for the National Basketball league’s first national crown.

"We’re not afraid of anyone. We will dish our Cebuano brand of basketball in every game and give our rivals a run for their money," said multi-titled head coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba a week before the start of the NBL on May 24 at the Gov. Angel Medina Sr. Memorial gym in Ozamiz City.

Team owner Michel Lhuillier’s squad will be vying against Northern Conference teams Spring Cooking Oil-Bulacan, Tarlac Stallions, Pampanga Dragons and Forward Taguig and Southern Conference squads Compak Shineway-Ozamiz, Air Philippines-Bacolod Flights and Negros Oriental.

Carrying the Cebu team’s colors are Darryl Smith, Jessie Lumantas, Rey Cantona, Arnold Rodriguez, Aldrin Ocanada, Danilo Aying, Michael Manigo, Pableo Canoneo Jr., Aldrich Reyes, Ramil Ferma, Alano Caputolan, Woodraw Enriquez and Jeric Arano.

Sponsored by Fortune Tobacco, Air Philippines, Gatorade and Molten Basketballs, the NBL will be televised over Channel 13 through the facilities of Silverstar Communications Inc.