M. Lhuillier Niños all set for playoffs

CEBU CITY, Philippines - The M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños are now raring to see action while waiting for the results of the Trace Laguna Stallions vs. Tagaytay-Cavite Heroes wild card game. The Stallions, winner of the final week of the tour elimination title gets the twice-to-beat advantage when the playoffs series starts on Monday at the different venue. “We have made the necessary preparations and I think we are now ready to play in the playoffs," said Cebu coach Raul Alcoseba. Cebu finished the tour elimination phase on top of the heap with a total of 49 points after sweeping all four-leg titles. Cebu holds the home-court-advantage when the best-of-five series starts. However, Alcoseba admitted that the playoffs is tougher. “We are speaking of the playoffs here and we are expecting for tougher and harder games ahead, that’s why we are preparing hard," Alcoseba said. The other wildcard match up includes Baguio Victory hosting the Iloilo Mang Inasals at the University of Baguio gym; the Lipa-Batangas Barakos against the Quezon Red Oilers at the Lipa Cultural Convention Center; the Misamis Oriental Meteors against the Ilocos Sur Bravehearts at the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City and the Stallions against the Heroes. - Sun.Star Cebu