Search for next national champions of Liga Pilipinas hoop starts in Cagayan de Oro City

Games today:

Xavier University Gym

4:30 p.m. – MLKP-Cebu vs. Mandaue

6 p.m. – MisOr vs. GenSan

After a long and grueling elimination round, the real battle in the SMC Liga Pilipinas Conference V begins as the Super Leg kicks off with an explosive matchup between the Mandaue-Cebu Landmasters/RDAK and the reigning national champions M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro City.

After two forgettable performance in the past two conferences, the Landmasters have come alive with the influx of new players, particularly the cast-offs from the Niños who have proven themselves to be diamonds in the rough.

Leading Mandaue, who grabbed the top seed after garnering 44 points in the six-week tour phase, will be two-time leg MVP Mark Magsumbol, Ariel Capus, Hafer Mondragon, Marlon Basco, Leo Losentes and Axel Doruelo.

Mandaue has also added another criticial component to their already-potent mix in the face of former PBL MVP Vic Manuel, who showcased his versatility by scoring 13 points in his first stint for the Landmasters against the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas in an exhibition game last week.

The Niños, on the other hand, are focused on salvaging what has been a miserable conference that has included a horrendous windup to the tour phase wherein they lost seven of their last 10 outings.

The wards of multi-titled head coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba are intent on bouncing back as they now turn to newcomers Allein Maliksi, Marvin Hayes, Mark Jeffries and the comebacking Ariel Mepana to carry them in this stage of the tournament.

The other game of today’s double-header features the host Misamis Oriental Meteors against the GenSan-MP Warriors of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.

The host Meteors of Gov. Oscar  Moreno and Coach Jun Noel have prolific scorer Egay Billones at the helm. Recent additions JayR Gerilla, Ardy Larong and Rudy Lingganay may just be what the team needs to capture their second national championship. Old hands Dino Daa, Neil Raneses and Ken Bono will also play big roles. The Meteors are Liga’s best offensive unit churning out 78.8 points a game.

The Laguna Golden Lions complete the cast in the Super Leg. The teams will play a single round-robin after which the top two squads at the end of this phase will go on to duke it out for the crown this Sunday.