INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?Showing off a spotless record, M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu is looking to stretch its dominance in the Super Leg championship of the 2009 Smart-Liga Pilipinas.

The unbeaten Niños, who swept the eliminations with a 16-game run, begin their championship quest on Monday against the Quezon Red Oilers at the Cebu Coliseum.

Out to foil the Niños? aspirations other than the No. 3 Oilers are the second seed Smart-Pampanga Buddies, Conference 2 titleholder and No. 4 seed Misamis Oriental Meteors and No. 5 Trace-Laguna Stallions.

?The competition will be more fierce and we expect tougher games ahead,? said Liga Pilipinas operations head Butch Antonio yesterday.

While the Niños secured the first automatic seat in the title stage, the Buddies needed to sweep their Apayao game to pry the second Super Leg berth loose from the Oilers? grip.

The Red Oilers eventually grabbed the No. 3 slot by booting out General Santos City?s MP Warriors.