Pacesetters aim for fourth win

The 2006 MDX Good Sportsmanship Basketball League Coca-Cola Cup resumes this weekend with league leaders Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense, Budweiser, and RHT looking to improve to 4-1 against separate rivals at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

RHT will get first crack at nailing win No. 4 when it takes on cellar dweller UFO-Old Stocks in the 6pm first game tonight.

Only a letdown from its inspiring win against Mover last Sunday will prevent RHT from beating a UFO team that has lost all four of its games to start the season.

Coach Marvin Deocares will again have at his disposal a good mix of veterans and up-and-coming players led by high-scoring guard Andres “Jhun” Estolas Jr.

Expected to backup the many time MVP are young guns Kevin Cequena and Rowell Aranda, ex-Visminda stalwarts Jawn Joyner and Pando Muleta, and former national player Gyles Ruluked.

UFO will try to keep it close with a rag-tag cast made up of rebounder extraordinaire Bong Malasarte, high leapers Butch Sublemente and Martin Moreno, and Rotary standouts Wylie Paez and Kovin Ogumoro.

Immediately following the RHT-UFO tussle is the game between Mover and NYBA set to start at 7:30pm.

Mover (2-2) will be itching to get back on the hard court after sputtering at the end in its game against RHT.

But what Mover team will be there to greet the jumpball at center court is always a mystery to coach Tony “Peyton” Gabriel, as the availability of big boys Dalewin Cortez, Eric Dalangin, and Glenn Aquino as well as playmaker Chris Domingo usually depends on the weekend load at Aqua Resort Club, where all four work.

NYBA (1-3) will have no such problem as the youthful and energetic squad coached by Joe Diaz will have Rotary stars Jayvon Tarkong, Vince Teregeyo, Kevin Aldan, and Robert Naraja always at the ready.

MDX’s weekend action continues on Sunday with 3-1 Budweiser taking on 2-2 Kinpachi in the 5pm first game.

The MARPAC- and Pastor Ramil H. Trinidad-backed team will be heavily favored against Kinpachi, as former national player and gold medal-winning coach in the 6th Micronesian Games, Elias Rangamar, has one of the deepest teams in the league.

Rangamar usually starts with Marlon De Dios, Elbyn Cecilia, and Sonny Lerio in the forward spots and Dennis Vinas and Jolan Mendoza at the guards.

But being part of the first five doesn’t usually translate to starter minutes for Rangamar as the likes of Taj Van Buren, Peter Camacho, Leo Factor, Mark Mendoza, and James Abuy also see a lot of action for Budweiser.

But Kinpachi will be no pushover as coach Jerry “Mutombo” Lopez has also assembled a more-than-competent team built around scorers Dave Sablan and Ed Palma—whether they could co-exist and share the ball is anybody’s guess, however.

Other key players for the Bank of Saipan-sponsored quintet are William Opone, Larry Palero, Francis Rebuyon, Mike Umali, and Gil Gapor.

The final match of the weekend MDX slate will then feature defending champion SIP (3-1) against Samahang Manggawang Filipino (2-2) beginning at 6:30pm.

SIP rebounded beautifully from its loss to RHT two weeks back by plastering Kinpachi last time they stepped foot at the Oleai Sports Complex and they look to make it two in a row against SMF.

Leading the way for the Boy Garcia-coached team are new recruits Ed Diaz, Freddie Pelisamen, and Mel Manibusan and old hands Elmer Esdrelon, Rick Alegre, and Junar Guiab.

Expected to counter for SMF, coached by Jun Itaas, are the inside-outside combo of Leo Itaas and Gary Cayetano, burly center Ruther Demigillo, and journeymen “Smoking” Jhun Tabora and Bernard Montano.