Four teams fight for survival

Virtual do-or-die games for four teams with 0-1 records are set in this weekend’s playoffs for the Budweiser-Coca Cola 6th UFO Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

CNMI Power-Mayor Juan B. Tudela, 287 Club-McDonald’s, SMF-Shell, and MDX-Amateur Radio Club-Armatech all can’t afford another loss after succumbing in their recent games.

LIPS-Mobil (1-0) will play the role of executioner when it faces CNMI Power in the 6pm first game tonight at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Both teams are coming off two weeks rest, but pundits are giving the edge to the more seasoned and experienced LIPS squad, which boasts of point guard extraordinaire Andres “Jhun” Estolas Jr. and rising stars Kevin Cequena and Rowell Aranda.

Expected to carry the load for CNMI Power are reed-thin forward Reynaldo “Badong” Camacho and roadrunner J.R. Barrios.

287 Club will then try to avoid being knocked out when it squares off against Cavite-Country House (1-0) in the 7:30pm second game. It would not be easy though as the Boy Garcia-coached team is reinforced by seasoned cagers Bernard Montano, Randy Arconado, Joy Dayrit, and Chris Domingo.

Coming off a sorry loss to NAMFREL-Region V/Sabungero last Saturday, 287 Club would again rely on the firepower of tank-like Francis Rebuyon, plastic man William Opone, and veteran swingman Ariel Jinang.

Survival Sunday would then feature SMF against NAMFREL (1-0) in the 4pm first game, which most believe would end up in the latter’s favor. On paper, SMF clearly has the edge against the raw but promising NAMFREL quintet.

SMF will continue to lean on shooters Sonny Lerio and Gary Cayetano and human pogo stick ad reigning MVP Leo Itaas.

Taking the cudgels for NAMFREL are last week’s heroes Bernard Samson, Larry Palero, and Noel Sabordo.

In another game that could also go either way, MDX will tangle with powerhouse SIP-Flor Miranda (1-0) in the 5:30pm second game. The retooled MDX team features an impressive starting five that has the promising center-power forward combination of Marlon De Dios and Elbyn Cecilia, swingmen Jolan Mendoza and Mike Umali, and old hand Martin Moreno.

Although orphaned with the exit of point guard Rick Alegre and the sudden departure of Jason Amado, who left for the states, SIP is still a load to go up against as it still has center Edsel Mendoza, forward Junar Guiab, swingman James Villacrusis, and guards Jester Garcia and Elmer Esdrelon in its fold.