Jhan McHale Nermal of Bacolod will be one of the players to watch.
Bacolod eyes share of lead
BACOLOD Bingo Plus shoots for a share of the lead when it tackles Marikina at 5 p.m. Saturday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season’s first triple-bill at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Powerhouse Nueva Ecija seeks its second straight win against General Santos City at 7 p.m. while cellar-dwellers Manila and Mindoro clash at 9 p.m.
The Bacolodnons trounced the Manila Stars, 76-59, on May 31 to extend their win-run to three and remain close behind surprise pacesetters Sarangani Marlins (4-0).
Veteran Mark Yee, Jhan McHale Nermal and Alwyn Alday are again expected to carry the offensive load for Bacolod, which is picked to beat Marikina (1-2) in the opener.
The star-laden Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards are highly favored to hand the GenSan Warriors, who have actor Gerald Anderson on their roster, a third straight defeat.
Nueva Ecija Coach Jerson Cabiltes will again have the luxury of juggling players since the Rice Vanguards are 3-deep in all positions.
John Bryon Villarias, Michael Juico, Michael Mabulac, Pamboy Raymundo and Bobby Balucanag led the scoring when Nueva Ecija routed Mindoro, 98-68, on May 23, but Hesed Gabo, Will McAloney, Jay Collado, JR Taganas and Renz Palma are just as capable of lighting up the charts.
After losing their first 3 games, the Manila Stars are determined to end their slump against the Mindoro Tamaraws, who are mired at 0-4, at their homecourt.
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