It’s wedding, not PBA, ring first for Villanueva

For Enrico Villanueva, a PBA All-Filipino championship for his Red Bull team would have been among the precious wedding gifts when he exchanges marital vow with girlfriend Nobina Lim Hao today at the Santuario de San Jose in Greenhills.

But that’s not the case.

Their bid for the Gran Matador Brandy Philippine Cup crown is hanging in the balance as he gets married with all members of the Red Bull ball club expected to be in attendance.

The honeymoon, set in Europe, will have to wait as Villanueva and his teammates still have a job to do, facing a tough task of beating the Purefoods Chunkee Giants three games in a row to win their best-of-seven title showdown.

In fact, Villanueva will still join the Red Bull practice this morning before the wedding.

"She (Nobina) understands that I have a job to do. I will just make up with her after the finals," said Villanueva. Red Bull top honcho George Chua is among Villanueva’s wedding principal sponsors, Paolo Bugia best man, and Larry Fonacier and Rich Alvarez among the secondary sponsors. — Nelson Beltran