2005 Mayor Tommy Osmeña Cup: M. Lhuillier opens up title bid vs. Laguna 5

Cebu's multi-titled M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Jewelers will open up their campaign for a third straight title this year against National Basketball Conference's Laguna-Spring Cooking in the 2005 Mayor Tommy Osmeña National Invitational Baketball Tournament, which fires off tomorrow at the Cebu Coliseum.

Mentored by Cebu City Councilor Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba, the M. Lhuillier Jewelers defend their fort against Laguna at 4:30 pm, right after LIMA Construction and Pagadian Aquaworld battle in the opening skirmish at 3 pm.

The Quezon Coco Huskers will cap the exciting triple-header when they take on Davao City's Montaña Pawnshop at 6 pm.

Making sure that no stone will be left unturned in their championship campaign, Alcoseba has added more firepower in his offensive arsenal in Fil-Am Randy Saramosing.

The 6-foot-2 Saramosing was born to Filipino parents, but was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. His mother is from San Fernando, Cebu, while his father hails from Iligan City.

Although he's a pure shooting guard, the 22-year-old Saramosing said he can also handle the pointguard position pretty well.

Saramosing said he has slowly adjusted with the system of Alcoseba and that he will try his best to perform well, if not make an impression, in his debut in the Philippine basketball circuit.

"I can't assure yet what I can do for the team. All can I say is that I will work hard to be a worthy member of this team," said Saramosing, who was once a star player of James Campbell High School.

Saramosing's presence is expected to fortify M. Lhuillier artillery, which is already loaded with prolific gunners that include James Laygo, Danny Aying, Aldrin Ocañada, Jercules Tangkay, and Woodrow Enriquez.

The other M. Lhuillier reliables are Bong Marata, Carlos Sayon, Leo Bat-og, Champion Canoneo, Leodi Garcia, Alano Captuolan, and Jessie Lumantas.

Alcoseba expects a tough opposition from the visiting teams, but assured they are ready for the challenge.

"We're up against tough opponents, but my boys are ready to give them a good fight. Hopefully we will win the championship," said Alcoseba, whose Jewelers are eyeing for their third consecutive crown after topping invitational games in Sogod, Southern Leyte and in Valencia City, Bukidnon earlier this year.

The six-day cagefest, a project of Basketball Association of the Philippine (BAP) vice president for the Visayas Michel Lhuillier, follows a single round robin format in the elimination round, with the top two teams in each bracket advancing into the crossover semifinals.

The winners will then clash in a sudden-death championship match on October 6.