Reigning Liga Pilipinas national champions M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños host the Smart Gilas Pilipinas in an exhibition game tomorrow at the Cebu Coliseum.
Multi-titled head coach and Cebu City councilor Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba of the Niños said this game is a good and mutual test for his squad and the Nationals, especially in their respective missions.
The Niños are preparing for the Liga Super Leg on July 12 to 17 at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro City.
They will be up against the top-seeded Mandaue-Cebu Landmasters/RDAK, Misamis Oriental Meteors, GenSan-MP Warriors and the Laguna Golden Lions.
The Gilas, on the other hand, are gearing for a chance to put the country back in the Olympics when they compete in the FIBA-Asia qualifier this September.
OUTMATCHED
Alcoseba admitted that his team might be outmatched, especially with the presence of the Gilas’ newly naturalized center 6-foot-10 American Marcus Douthit. Still, he promised a good match and a great chance for the Cebuanos to show their support for the national squad.
“This is a great chance for the basketball fans to see their national team,” Alcoseba said. “This is a different team from the one we played last time out.” The Niños faced off against the Gilas twice in March last year and came away with a 1-1 (win-loss) record.
Alcoseba added that his team needs this tough match to prepare them for the grueling grind of the Super Leg.
“The new players managed to practice just three times before the last leg and obviously, we can’t do this overnight,” he said. “Ang pag-blend na lang jud ang kuwang.”
Alcoseba was referring to new recruits Ariel Mepana, Allein Maliksi, Mark Jeffries, Marvin Hayes and Ogie Menor.