Cocolife, Petron, F2 favored in Superliga

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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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February 17, 2018
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RETOOLED Cocolife Asset Managers, Petron Blaze Spikers and F2 Logistics Cargo Movers loom as the favored teams when the new season of Philippine Superliga opens with Grand Prix tourney today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Inspired by its semifinals appearance in the same conference last year, Asset Managers has reinforced its team further by tapping Serbian Moro Branislav as its head coach and at the same time adding key pieces to its lineup.

The Asset Managers has signed up Sara Klisura and returing Taylor Milton as their imports while also signing locals Honey Royce Tubino, Shawna-Lei Santos and Danika Gendrauli.

The Asset Managers has also maintained its veteran-laden crew of Christina Salak, Denise Lazaro, Joanne Bunag, Ilongga Nerissa Bautista and Mary Jean Balse to compensate for the loss of Michelle Gumabao.

“All teams have upgraded their respective lineups so this is going to be a tough road for us. We have to prepare hard and be ready. This is going to be a war,” said Branislav, who transferred from Foton Tornadoes.

Despite losing some of its key local players, Blaze Spikers still has a fighting lineup as it was able to acquire Chlodia Cortez, Lutgarda Malaluan, Pia Gaiser and Angelica Legacion from free agency.

Blaze Spikers is still to be backstopped by imports Lindsay Stalzer, Hillary Hurley and Yuri Fukuda as well as locals Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Frances Molina, Mika Reyes and Rhea Dimaculangan.

“Our campaign last year ended in a heart-break so we will try our best to win it this time,” said Blaze Spikers head coach Ceseal Delos Santos, recalling their massive meltdown in the best-of-three finals series against Cargo Movers last year.

Even without the services of its De La Salle University Lady Spikers-based players, Cargo Movers will still have the tools for its title-retention bid in the season-opening conference.

Cargo Movers retained its strength with the return of imports Kennedy Bryan of United States and Maria Jose Perez of Venezuela and the tapping of Japanese libero Minami Yoshioka to fill the defensive void created by Dawn Macandili’s absence.

“We may have lost some players, but I think we’ll be fine,” said Cargo Movers coach Ramil de Jesus, who will be banking on Kim Fajardo, Aby Marano, Ara Galang and new recruit Lourdes Clemente.

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Asialink continued its fine play in the 2018 Iloilo Basketball Club Association (IBCA) Invitational League, where it has a league-leading 7-1 win-loss slate at the end of the eliminations.

However, that impressive run was nearly tarnished the other day as it settled for a come-from-behind 71-61 win over UK Juniors in a match held at the Barangay Zamora Gym in Iloilo City.

Alexander Parcon top-scored with 22 points, while Cedie Eraga and Jake Fuertes added 20 and 16 points, respectively, for Asialink. Mark Dalmino, meanwhile, finished with 21 points for UK Juniors.

Trailing for most of the way in the match, Asialink made its move in the fourth quarter behind clutch conversions from Parcon, Eraga and Arfie Orbita to erase an eight-point advantage.

“Give credit to our players. We really struggled in this game. We came here undermanned and our shots are not falling mabuti na lang we were able to find ways in the fourth quarter,” said Asialink team manager Philip Punzalan.

Asialink, along with fellow top three finishers in the standings in UK Sports Juniors and UK Sports Basketball Club, will advance to the Champions Cup of the Panay Sports Association./PN
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