PBL honors Harbour-RP in Unity Cup rites

Four teams, led by fancied Cebuana Lhuillier Pera Padala, kick off their respective bids in the PBL Unity Cup which gets underway at the Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque today.

Cebuana Lhuillier, one of the top favorites for the season-ending conference, tests the mettle of the revamped San Miguel-Magnolia squad in the main game at 4 p.m. while Henkel Sista takes on Burger King, formerly Mail & More, in the 2 p.m. opener.

The twinbill sets off with a simple opening ceremony honoring Harbour Centre-Philippines following its successful title campaign in the SEABA Champions Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia over the weekend.

Basketball godfather and Harbour Centre team owner Mikee Romero, the coaching staff, led by Junel Baculi, and all 12 players bannered by Toyota Balintawak star point guard Marvin Cruz will be presented and feted by the league, led by commissioner Chino Trinidad and chairman Gil Angeles, for winning the Philippines’ first international crown following the lifting of the FIBA suspension on the country.

Behind the gritty plays of Cruz, theNationals defeated the Indonesians, 85-67, in the championship game.

Defending champion Harbour Centre takes a bye on opening day along with Toyota Balintawak and Dazz Sang Patak.

Keeping the core of the team that reached the quarterfinals of the Silver Cup intact, the Moneymen have been installed among the heavy favorites to foil Harbour Centre’s another title bid.

Ken Bono, Most Valuable Player of the last UAAP men’s basketball season, will be at the helm of Cebuana Lhuillier’s campaign, with the Ateneo duo of Macky Escalona and Doug Kramer and Erik dela Cuesta expected to provide the needed support.

But out to challenge them outright are the Beverage Masters, formerly Magnolia Ice Cream, who remain a formidable unit despite the decision of San Beda’s championship core to temporarily cut its ties with the team.

Out to lead San Miguel-Magnolia this time are Far Eastern U stalwarts Jeff Chan and Jonas Villanueva, University of the East star Bonbon Custodio and veteran Al Magpayo.

Samigue Eman is reportedly playing well in the off-season, a development that augurs well for Henkel Sista’s campaign.

Injuries forced the 6-foot-9 center to miss several games last conference, shoving the Super Sealers out of the picture in the Silver Cup Final Four.