Host Meteors eye TOP leg crown in CDO

GAMES TODAY (Xavier University gym, Cagayan de Oro City)

5 p.m.—Cebu vs Taguig

7 p.m.—Opening Ceremonies

7:30 p.m.—Misamis Oriental vs Ascof Lagundi

MISAMIS ORIENTAL hopes to boost its playoffs bid when it hosts the 8th leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) today while M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu eyes redemption at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro City.

The Meteors open their bid for a second leg crown against three-leg runner-up Ascof Lagundi at 7:30 p.m. while the Cebu Niños collide with Hobe Bihon-Taguig City at 7:30 p.m.

A brief opening ceremony will highlight the affair with prominent basketball officials, led by Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala leading the specials guests in the event jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas.

Expected to lead the assault of the Jun Noel-mentored Meteors are former UAAP scoring champion Patrick Cabahug, Roel Hugnatan and former pro Neil Raneses.

After ruling the Mandaue leg three weeks ago, the Meteors bowed again to the mighty Niños in the leg hosted by the latter.

“With the support of the crowd, we hope we can get back at them (Niños),” said the durable mentor Noel. “We need to win this leg to boost our playoffs bid.”

The Meteors, however, will have to double, if not triple their efforts since Taguig and Ascof Lagundi are also aching to win the leg crowd to enhance their own bids.

But they have to be wary of the Niños who are expected to bounce back after their sorry performance last week where their 30-game winning run was halted by the less fancied MP Gensan squad of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.