GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 14 (PNA) ?- The much awaited 2009 Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference Two unwrapped Wednesday with a slew of activities capped by a slam bang doubleheader at the General Santos City Gymnasium.
Expansion team MP Warriors of GenSan, led by its team owner and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, will take the court against the Zamboanga Amores in the main offering at 6:00 pm.
The revitalized Trace-Laguna Stallions of Erwin Genuino and Coach Nomar Isla will test the unpredictable Ilocos Sur Bravehearts of Gov. DV Savellano and Coach Gino Manuel in the conference opener at 4:00 pm of the community-based league supported by Smart and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Pacquiao tries his hands at another sport as he has been inserted into the Warriors? roster by Coach Ramon Pido.
The 5?7 boxing champion will showcase his skills at both guard positions. Although labeled as an expansion team, the Warriors are expected to be no pushovers since the nucleus of the quintet has been together for the last three years playing in local leagues.
With the home fans behind them, the Warriors will bank on the prolific guard rotation of Don Tadena, Bob Cozy Ilanga, Louie Medalla, Roderick Ramos, Jonjon Gonzaga and Apol Coronado plus the frontline smarts of Dondon Mendoza, Weng Farochillen and Jeffy Locsin.
The Amores will counter with gunner Jonathan Parreno, who trained in the off-season with the SBP?s National Developmental Pool under Coach Rajko Toroman. Also carrying the fight for the Amores are guard Chris Concepcion, forward Charleston Bolias and a bunch of local discoveries under Coach Roland Rico.
The Stallions generated a lot of noise when they snared 6?8? San Beda College center Samuel Ekwe in a special lottery supervised by Liga.
Ekwe is seen to blend well with fellow Bedan Alex Angeles plus holdovers Ricky Ricafuente and Glenn Bolocon and recruits Jay-Arr Estrada, Mario Reyes, RB Mangahas and Jan Villaver.
Coach Manuel enters his first full conference after taking over the Bravehearts late in the last conference. He has retained only four players in Chris Cabatu, Alain Musni, Chris Santos and Chris Baluyot but added transfers Nat Cruz, Elbert Alberto, Ismael Junio, Marvin Yambao and John Valderama.
A motorcade and simple opening ceremonies will precede the actual games with Liga Pilipinas, SBP and other local officials led by Commissioner Noli Eala and Mayor Pedro Acharon in attendance
The four teams will play a three-day single round robin amongst themselves with the two best teams slugging it out for the championship on Saturday.
Drawing a bye this opening week are defending champion M. Lhuillier-Cebu Ninos, runner-up Harbour Centre-Taguig Batang Global, Hapee-Misamis Oriental Meteors, Smart-Pampanga Buddies, Quezon Red Oilers, Mang Inasal-Iloilo and Team Manila (the former Lipa-Batangas Barakos). (PNA) FFC/LOR/pr
