Three straight days of UFO action

The UFO-San Miguel Cup has scheduled three playing days this weekend.

On Friday, action starts beginning 6pm with SMF-Seabridge taking on Laguna-GEC Pawnshop in the opener.

SMF still is human-pogo stick Leo Itaas’ team but unlike last year, the 5’9” high-leaper is getting plenty of help from the likes of new recruit Sonny Lerio and journeyman Toto Banatasa.

Laguna, meanwhile, is expected to lean on the hot hands of ex-scoring champ Ed Palma and a cadre of greenhorns and role players who don’t know the meaning of fear.

The second game of the twinbill then features defending champion Visminda-Country House opposite LIPS-JAM Construction beginning at 8pm.

Visminda is the overwhelming favorite in this match-up. Boys Garcia’s team is two-deep in every position and, in fact, has the luxury of sitting down his first five without a drop off in play.

The addition of speedsters Chris “Tope” Domingo and John Artates has jumpstarted the team’s transition game.

Visminda could also play a slow-tempo game with tall trees Ed Cosino, Danny Bicera, and Emil De Belen taking care of business down low and sharpshooters Rey Uy, Pando Muleta, last season’s MVP, and Dado Vistal lurking from the outside.

Versatility also remains to be one of the strengths of Visminda with mainstays Banjo Basila and Jawn Joyner one of the best in the league in playing multiple positions.

LIPS, meanwhile, is a solid team that could pull off a lot of surprises this season. Its main weapons are former CCA-TAE Logistics go-to guy Manny Guimalan, Bicol castaway Rene Pe, and ex-Bayani pivot Jojo Guinto.

The Pacific Trading Co.-sponsored league’s Saturday sked would have Bicol-Sabungero squaring off against Bartdenders-Aliviera Sports Bar in the 6pm first game. The second game then pits three-time champion SIP-Verizon against Cabalen-RP Construction at 8pm.

Bicol is coming off a win over MDX Amateur Radio Club last Sunday, while dark horse Bartenders is still smarting from a loss to SIP exactly a week ago.

The same scenario holds true for the second game with SIP still jubilant with the win over Bartenders and Cabalen still recovering from their stinging loss Saturday.

UFO’s weekend grand slam action concludes on Sunday with the regular tripleheader. Visminda returns to the floor opposite Bayani in the 2pm first game, while FASA PABA-CNC Inc. takes on MDX in the 4pm second game. The final game would have LIPS going up against MAFILWA-McDonald’s beginning at 6pm. Incidentally the game against LIPS serves as MAFILWA’s season debut.

For more information on the above schedule of game please call Ramon Awit at 234-1990 or Racquel Miranda at 235-9433.