THE final leg of the SMC Liga Pilipinas V commences today at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro City.
Four teams headed by the hosts Misamis Oriental Meteors will be competing in the pocket tournament. Joining them will be three-time leg champions Mandaue-Cebu Landmasters/RDAK, who are gunning for their fourth title in a row, the reigning national champions M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños and the GenSan-MP Warriors of Manny Pacquiao.
As the teams gear up for next month’s super leg, a lot of roster changes have been made.
The Jun Noel-mentored Meteors have acquired free agents Ardy Larong and JR Gerilla and reactivated guard Mark Moreno to help out Liga Pilipinas scoring leader Egay Billones.
The Niños, on the other hand, signed youngsters Ogie Menor, Allein Maliksi, Marvin Hayes, Mark Jefferies and Argel Mendoza and reactivated Ariel Mepana. Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba, though, has yet to decide who to place on reserve to accommodate the newcomers.
Fresh from their third weekly championship last week in General Santos City, Mandaue of Joe Soberano and Rick King is expected to keep its winning roster intact.
Coach Jun Tan will still bank on Mark Magsumbol, Ariel Capus and Axel Doruelo on offense while anchoring their stingy defense are Marlon Basco, Harold Sta. Cruz and Hafer Mondragon.
Just like Mandaue, the MP Warriors of Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Coach Arvin Bonleon are expected to retain the same roster except for the return of Alfie Grijaldo, who sat out last week due to an injury.
His presence is expected to boost the Warriors’ chances to sneak past the idle Ilocos Sur CS Tigers for the fifth and last super leg berth. The Warriors trail the Tigers by a point (14-15) in the overall standings. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio