PacMan faces odds vs Lhuillier in MVBA

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — With their backs against the wall, Mindanao Division champion PacMan-GenSan of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao begins its tough task of sweeping its remaining three games while Visayas Division champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Jewelers will try to wrap up the best-of-five finale of the ML Kwarta Padala Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) First Conference today at the General Santos City Gym. Game time is at 6 p.m.

The Jewelers won the first two games of the series at the Cebu Coliseum in convincing fashion for a commanding 2-0 lead

The series is supported by ML Kwarta Padala, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Nature’s Spring Drinking Water, Gameface.ph, Panasonic, Molten and Sulpicio Lines.

Game One last June 6 ended at 101-91 while Game Two the next day saw a 92-81 tally.

The defensive-minded PacMan squad hopes the familiar confines of their home venue will work wonders for their cause as they try to stop the deadly trio of Visayas Division MVP Jayford Rodriguez and veteran Mike Manigo, who both average 22.5 points in the series, and guard Woodrow Enriquez (18.5 ppg).

Meanwhile, PacMan coach Ramon Pido hopes to draw more consistent play from his reliable players led by Mindanao Division MVP Louie Medalla (12.0 ppg), swingmen Apol Coronado (13.5 ppg) and Jethro Recustodio (12.5) and big men Weng Farochillen (12.0 ppg) and Jaypee Locsin (13.0).

Should PacMan win today, Game Four will be tomorrow still at the General Santos City Gym. If needed, June 16 is reserved for the winner-take-all Game Five back at the Cebu Coliseum.

The MVBA finals are televised over UHF channel Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN-47) and all its cable affiliates nationwide.