Sinulog Cup unfurls today 3 PBA teams in action vs. M. Lhuillier at Cebu Coliseum

CEBU, Philippines - Basketball fans in this side of the country are in for another exciting hardcourt showdown as three import-laced PBA teams plunge into action in the three-day Sinulog Cup starting this afternoon at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Petron Blaze Boosters, Alaska Aces and Brgy. Ginebra Kings will gang up on the multi-titled M.Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City Niños in the three-day joust that serves as their final tuneup for the upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup that will kick off next week at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Cebuano hotshot Dondon Hontiveros will again showcase his wares before his  hometown followers when the Alaska Aces take on M.Lhuillier of legendary coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba in the opening duel at 5 pm.

Aside from Hontiveros, the other Aces to be watch out for are rookie sensation Calvin ‘The Beast’ Abueva, former Smart Gilas member Jayvee Casio and Cebuano Aldrech Ramos, who was acquired by Alaska from San Mig Coffee Mixers in a multi-trade deal last week.

In the main game at 7 pm, it's Junemar Fajardo's turn to dazzle his townmates when Petron goes up against Ginebra.

The 6-foot-9 Fajardo will make his return after missing half of the Philippine Cup due to groin injury. Joining the former University of Cebu (UC) standout in the Petron roster are Danny Ildefonso, Jay Washington, Alex Cabagnot and Ronald Tubid.

Leading Ginebra is scoring machine Mark Caguioa who will play alongside LA Tenorio, Rudy Hatfield and young guns in the likes of Chris Ellis, Keith Jensen and newly acquired Mac Baracael.

As an added treat, Petron, Alaska and Ginebra will field in top caliber reinforcement.

Petron has commissioned the services of 6-foot-8 Puerto Rican banger Renaldo Balkman, Alaska will parade the 6-foot-9 Robert Dozier, while Ginebra will banner the 6-foot-10 Herbert Hill.

Balkman carries the most impressive NBA card, being a first-round pick who went on to average 4.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 221 games in six seasons with the Knicks and the Nuggets.

Balkman was the Knicks’ 20th pick in the 2006 NBA draft, chosen ahead of Rajon Rondo (21st). Traded to Denver in 2008, he found his way back to New York in 2011 as part of the blockbuster trade that brought Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Sheldan Williams and Anthony Carter to the Knicks’ fold.

Hill is also a second-round draftee, chosen by the Utah Jazz at 55th overall in 2007. A native of Ulm, Germany who played college basketball for Providence from 2003-2007, Hill strutted his stuffs in the majors with the Jazz and the Philadelphia Sixers.

Tickets are priced at P50 for general admission, P150 for upperbox, P250 for lowerbox, P350 for reserved seats and P500 for VIP/ringside. — with Lemuel P. Maglinte (FREEMAN)