Forecast Round 8 - Dimond Seeks Revenge while JR Panel Aims to Keep Pace

As you read this the opening ceremonies and the ABs opening game would have been over. The ceremonies should go smoothly and the ABs should win their game against Tonga. The spirit of the game is definitely bringing NZ together.  Sports is indeed a unifying factor. Back home we have seen this when Manny Pacquiao fights, the whole country cheers for him; similarly when the Azkals played the whole nation prayed for their success.

Here in NZ, the Labour Weekend is only 6 weeks away. An annual event that gathers Filipinos all over NZ through cultural and sports events. Sometimes however in the heat of competition or desire to win the spirit of the game is forgotten. It can be a simple case of an errant elbow; use of foul language or more glaringly a host trying to be too smart (as we have seen in the past).

This year Hamilton is the venue of this year's event. PBA is certainly looking forward to defending their title. PBA wishes the host success and hope that in spite of the festivities coinciding with the finals of the WRC 2011 that there will be a lot of our kababayans making the trip.

In our LS Banal Cup, we are in the second week of the second round of the eliminations. Last week saw 2 predictable outcomes. Manila Motors kept their record clean, notching their 6th win and exerting just enough effort as New World played an erratic game. West team winning easily, final score 85-68. The other game pitted Dimond against LM Money Transfers. The Roofmakers dominated the game with the Cash Experts providing little resistance as they turned up with a depleted line up. Final score is the highest total so far in the tourney 147-106.

This week we have 2 of our possible finalists squaring off. League leader Manila Motors/CMR against defending champion Dimond Ampelite, this should be a good game to watch. Dimond would be keen to get back at Manila Motors who toyed with them last time they met. In our other game JR Panel, the other finals contender will face unpredictable LM Money Transfer.

JR Panel (3-2) vs LM Money Transfer (1-5)
JR Panel needs this win to keep up with the other 2 contenders and keep their chances of a finals slot alive. The Panelbeaters should win given their superior line up and deeper bench. LM Money Transfers cannot wait to heat up and get their act together against this powerhouse team. They need to play better defense and convert on the offensive side. Easier said than done of course against a team that was assembled to win a championship.

The Panelbeaters are expected to win this one. They will use this game to test combinations and improve their teamwork. This team has not played their full team yet, missing one or two key players throughout the season. So we have not really seen them at their full strength. LM Moneytransferers need to see their full team turn up to have a chance. And of course they need to play more cohesively. Otherwise we will see a repeat of their first encounter which JR Panel won by 16 points. Fearless Forecast: JR Panel by 12 points.

Dimond/Ampelite (4-1) Manila Motors/CMR (6-0)
Can anyone stop the Manila Motors rampage? Everyone thought the defending champs would have a chance or at least give them a good fight. CMR's response? They demolished the Roofmakers. Leading by as much as 30 points and having their third stringers play for most of the second half. Right from the start the West based team controlled the game.

Dimond will have to play better defense and respond better to Manila Motor's tough defense. If CMR is allowed to run and convert on their fast breaks then expect Manila Motors to dominate again. But if the Roofmakers can control the boards and slow the game down then they may have a chance to avenge their lopsided loss in the first round. Fearless Forecast: Manila Motors/CMR by 10 points.

Remember guys, see you at the games and bilog ang bola!!!