Visminda ready for date with destiny

Defending champion Visminda-Country House clashes with three-time titlist SIP-Verizon beginning at 6pm tomorrow night for the championship of the 2004 UFO-San Miguel Cup at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Visminda comes into the game carrying a twice-to-beat advantage and a nine-game winning skein built around a so far undefeated season, the fifth of the United Filipino Organization-backed league.

The match up is intriguing, in part, because it pits the only two teams that have worn the UFO crown the last four seasons. SIP lorded it over the roost the first three years, winning an unprecedented three-peat before Visminda snapped their run by winning the title last year against Cabalen.

Visminda is not taking anything for granted and is coming into the match with guns cocked. Although they lost last year’s regular season MVP Fernando “Pando” Muleta to a career-threatening heart ailment, coach Boy Garcia’s platoon of guards has more than filled up the slack.

On offense, Visminda counts on ex-Mobil sharpshooter Bing Marasigan and on occasion 2003 playoffs MVP Banjo Basila, a natural swingman, who can play point forward ala-Pipen.

On the defensive end, the duo of John Artates and Chris Domingo usually get the tough assignments of shutting down the opposing team’s lead guards.

Like last year, Visminda’s strength continues to be in its frontline.

Although already way past their 40th birthdays, the tandem of ex-Philippine Amateur Basketball League vets Ed Cosino and Dado Vistal are still a handful. Cosino, at 6’3”, is a force in defense as well as offense, while the 6’1” Vistal can rain down threes at a drop of a hat, while also doing his fair share of work under the boards.

Garcia can also count on Saipan’s version of the Bruise Brothers–Danny Bicera and Emil De Belen – for instant offense and tough physical defense down low. Both are capable scorers in their own right and could crash the glass with the best of them.

But Visminda’s ace lies in Jawn Joyner, the 6’1” Jumping Jack who missed most of the season last year but is aching to be part of the championship party this year. “I can’t wait for the finals and play SIP,” Joyner was overheard saying after Verizon’s win against Cabalen, effectively putting them in the championship match opposite Visminda.

Joyner is a defensive demon that could put pressure all the way down from the backcourt and swat shots with aplomb in an instant inside the shaded lane. He can also score with his long hands and springy legs taking the game above the rim.

Asked if he would like to end it now, Garcia said there’s no use prolonging a series and giving SIP the confidence could ultimately spell disaster for Visminda.

“I’m telling my boys not to think of the twice-to-beat advantage and treat Game 1 as do or die. I’m sure Rick [SIP playing-coach Rick Alegre] and the rest of the players of SIP will give their all in this game because a loss and that’s it for them,” he said.

Garcia sure knows what he’s talking about, because he is the same coach that steered SIP to their first two UFO crowns before switching sides in 2002.

On Saturday, Cabalen-RP Construction and FASA-PABA-CNC Inc. will figure in the battle for third starting at 6pm at the Ada Gym.

Organizers will also be charging a $1 entrance fee for both Saturday and Sunday games. Exempted are players for the evening and children below the age of 12. Proceeds from the fundraising will go to the maintenance of the gym. Ticket holders also get a chance to win in a raffle.