sp: Iloilo Mega Voltz consultant says: Negros Slashers ....
Balita News
Southern Conference
BACOLOD CITY, Feb. 06 (PNA) -- Negros Slashers, the Metropolitan
Basketball Association (MBA) inaugural Southern Conference Champion, is
still the tam to beat in this year's second season.
This was disclosed yesterday by Iloilo Mega Voltz consultant Cesar
Estrebillo, who said that of all the teams in the MBA, only the Negros
Slashers which had the intact line-up from last year's group.
Coach Jun Noel, on the other hand, said that his wards, beefed up
by four new members -- Romy de la Rosa from the PBA, Michael Otto and
Ruel Bravo of Pasig Rizal Pirates and Fil-Am Richie Cabrera -- is only
80 per cent prepared as of yesterday, considered Iloilo Mega Voltz as
the strongest opponent in the Southern Conference.
The Iloilo Mega Volts had been rebuilding its team and had acquired
the services of former Ginebra Vince Hizon and other PBA players.
The Negros Slashers team members, who were all present in
yesterday's edition of the SCOOP-Bacolod RPN Inter-action program at the
pool side of L'Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City and aired live over station
DYKB, promised through their team captain Jack Tanuan to play 100 per
cent on Sunday, Feb. 7.
They said their pre-season game against the Cebu Gems last
Saturday, Jan. 30, at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum in Baoclod
City was only 50 per cent performance.
They also invited Negrense and Bacolodďo fans to come and see the
games on Sunday when the 1999 season raises its curtains at the USLS
Coliseum in Bacolod City for the Southern Conference.
The Negros Slashers battle the revitalized Iloilo Mega Voltz at
4:30 p.m. second game of the 1999 inaugural match up.
San Juan Knights takes on Nueva Ecija Patriots at 2 p.m. opening
match at the Cuneta Astrodom in Pasay City for the Northern Conference
group.
On the other hand, Iloilo's Dominic Uy said they will go out and
play to the best of their ability against the Negros Slashers on Sunday.
"It's an honor to play against my fellow De La Salle University
archers Johnedel Cardel," Uy said, adding that "I'm excited."
Estrebillo said that the Iloilo Mega Voltz team is now complete and
will try their best to beat the Negros Slashers.
Slasher Carlos Sayon said he is prepared to guard Vince Hizon of
Mega Voltz.
For his part, inaugural most valuable player Hubert John Ferriols
when ask if he can defend is MVP title this year said: "It depends on my
performance."
Meanwhile, Negros Slashers chairman Babes Alvarez invites the
public to attend the unveiling ceremony of the Negros Slashers' marker
at the Bacolod Public Plaza at 7 a.m. on Saturday, February 6. In the
afternoon, Alvarez said the Slashers will also be at the Negros Museum
to open an exhibit on sports in Negros, Series I: Basketball featuring
the Negros Slashers at 4 p.m.
He also reminds all Slashers supporters that Sunday's opening rites
will start a 12 noon simultaneously with the one to be held at the
Cuneta Strodome.
He said tickets for the opening day are pegged at P75 for the
general admission, P150 for the mono block and P300 for the courtside
seats.
Tickets will be available today at Bascon Hotel, China Rose,
Montalbo Tire Sales Center, Business Inn, New Bacolod JM Enterprises,
Jollibee and at the USLS Ticketron.
Also present at the weekly sports session were Iloilo Mega Voltz
members Djangco Rivera and Roy Literal.
Other members of the Negros Slashers who were also present at the
sports session were: team manager Atty. William "Hans" Chua, assistant
coach Rolly Buenaflor and players Leo Bat-og, Reynel Hugnatan, Richie
Cabrera, John Philip Lim, Ryan Gamboa, Manuel Huelar, Erwin Framo,
Michael Otto and Ruel Bravo. (PNA) MB/lam/SVV/HGD
PNA 02061004