Can ABMS, Palm Cafe keep perfect record?

FAVOURITES ABMS are hoping to make it three out of three when they take it to the court against Pinoy 1st Edition in Group A of the regular seven stars category of the LBC Cup at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat tonight.

The 2009 Brunei Pepsi Cup champions, formally known as Babes Boutique, are coming off a hard fought 106-95 victory over El Tigre Marshalls last Saturday while Pinoy 1st Edition are riding off an 88-73 defeat to the tournament's other favourites, Palm Cafe, on Oct 29.

"I'm not satisfied with our performance against El Tigre Marshalls. This is because of the lack of practice where we only manage one session per week," said Kaka Espartero, the head coach of ABMS, when contacted yesterday.

"We are still trying to adjust to the seven stars rule. It is very difficult as most of our main players have two or three stars.

"There was no such rule in the Pepsi Cup and we could put everyone on the court.

"But the rule helps balance out all the teams," added Espartero.

Asked about the upcoming match, the 40-year-old Filipino replied: "They are a strong team and we will have to give it our 100 per cent to pull off a victory against them. They have a lot of young players and we will have to stop their fastbreaks in order to control the game."

Espatero will be banking on Don Dadis Mordeno, Joseno Mangoroban, Mark del Mundo and Roldan Binas to carry the team on offence once again.

But the team are missing one of their key players Majomar Aying, who is back in the Philippines.

"The team are definitely better with him as he would add more speed," commented Espartero.

Pinoy 1st Edition will be bannered by their trio of Mike Nuguid, Sherwin Antonio and Joel Valdez who all have two stars.

In the second match, the other favourites of the tournament, Palm Cafe, will look to do the same as they aim for their third straight win when they take on El Tigre Marshalls in Group A.

The 3rd Manjaro Cup champions, made up mainly of the Queenielin/Softlab players who won the 111th Philippine Independence Cup, are bannered by Geve Leones.

Danny Felicilda and Sonny Bautista who have since been added to the team will add firepower to the favourites.

The three will be supported by Elvin Requintin and Aries Castro.

El Tigre Marshalls are searching for their second victory of the tournament after crushing SOLD 105-59 on Oct 25.

Their only two-star player, Jess de Jesus, will spearhead the team and he will be supported by three-point shooter, Bernie Toledo.

The first game is scheduled to tip off at 7pm followed by the second match at 8.30pm.

Meanwhile, the current standings see both favourites, ABMS and Palm Cafe, at the top of Group A with two wins apiece.

Beaver Engineering and ALC are tied at the helm of Group B with two wins apiece to their names as well.The Brunei Times