Misamis Oriental hosts TOP leg

MANILA, Philippines - Misamis Oriental hosts the eighth leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) today, taking on Ascof Lagundi in the opener even as Cebu and Taguig clash in the other game at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro.

The Misamis Meteors kick off their bid for a second leg crown against three-time leg runner-up Ascof Lagundi at 7:30 p.m. while the Niños collide with Hobe Bihon-Taguig City at 5 p.m.

A brief opening ceremony will highlight the affair with Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala gracing the event jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas.

Expected to lead the Meteors’ bid are former UAAP scoring champion Patrick Cabahug, Roel Hugnatan and former pro Neil Raneses.

After ruling the Mandaue leg three weeks ago, the Meteors lost to the Niños in Cebu.

The Meteors, however, will have to double their effort since Taguig and Ascof Lagundi are also raring to win the leg crown to boost their respective overall bids.

But the Niños are expected to come out strong after their sorry performance last week where their 30-game winning run was halted by the less fancied MP Gensan squad of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.

They also lost to Cobra Energy Drink in the finals where they shot awfully from the field, making only 22 of 66 tries.