UFO ends first round this weekend

The first round of the Budweiser-Coca Cola 6th Annual UFO Inter-Organizational Basketball League comes to an end this weekend as teams try to better their records at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Kicking off this evening’s doubleheader is 287 Club-McDonald’s and LIPS-Mobil as they tip off at 6pm.

LIPS looks to get back on the winning track after faltering to defending champion Visminda-Tambayan/Nel Atalig last Sunday, but will have to do so without the services of young gun Kevin Cequena, who sustained an injury while suiting up for Team Saipan in a tournament in Guam.

With that, LIPS will turn much of the offensive load to scoring phenoms Rowell Aranda and Andres Estolas as they push for their fourth win in five games.

For their part, the 287 cagers led by William Opone, Frances Rebuyon, and Ariel Jinang are in search of their third win and look to move over the .500 mark with a win. The team split its first four games and have a 2-2 card.

The second game pits MDX Amateur Radio Club-Armatech and SMF-Shell.

After winning its first two games, MDX has dropped two in a row and is pushing to break their losing skid. The team will turn to speedy guards Butch Sublemente, Martin Moreno, and Ivan Devero for quick transition baskets, while big men Marlon De Dios and Richard Pambid will shoulder their inside game.

SMF-Shell, meanwhile, has dropped three of its first four bouts and will try to rebound to close the first round just a game under .500. Last year’s most valuable player Leo Itaas continues to play well and should get strong support from Jimmy Sison and Sonny Lerio.

Sunday’s schedule also features two games, with NAMFREL-Region V/Sabungero taking on Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense-Flor A. Miranda at 4pm, and Cavite-Country House battles CNMI POWER-Mayor Juan B. Tudela at 6pm.

SIP’s mixture of young guns and veterans seems to be working to their crafty benefit as the team will try to remain just a game behind Cabalen-RP Construction/Transamerica for the lead in Division B. SIP has a 3-1 card, and is favored against NAMFREL, which enters with a 2-2 record.

Cavite is in the same situation as 287 Club and will try to go above the .500 mark, while CNMI POWER is gunning for its second win of the season.