Tonight in Vismin Super Cup: KSC-Mandaue shoots for finals berth in duel vs ARQ Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines —  The KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue City hopes to march into the finals without any glitch as they tackle the revitalized ARQ Builders Lapu-Lapu City Heroes in the semifinals of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas Vismin Super Cup-Visayas leg today at the Alcantara Civic Center in Alcantara town southwest of Cebu.

Game time is set at 6 pm.

KCS-Mandaue enjoys a twice-to-beat advantage over ARQ Lapu-Lapu for finishing the double round robin elimination with the second-best record of 8-2 (win-loss) behind the unbeaten MJAS Zenith-Talisay City Aquastars, who completed a 10-game sweep to gain automatic championship entry.

The Heroes, on the other hand, had to dispatch the Tubigon-Bohol Mariners and the Dumaguete Warriors before reaching the penultimate stage of the upstart league.

KCS-Mandaue is tipped as the heavy favorites having swept the Heroes in their past two meetings.

The wards of coach Mike Reyes, however, must take note that at that time, ARQ Lapu-Lapu went to battle heavily undermanned due to the suspension of five players and injury to its ace pointguard and team captain Jerick Cañada.

Things are expected to be different now with the Heroes parading a healthy and complete roster bannered by the red-hot Red Juntilla, do-it-all forward Dawn Ochea, rejuvenated playmaker Rendell Senining and ageless veterans Jojo Tangkay, Ferdinand Lusdoc and Hafer Mondragon.

The Francis Martin Auquico-mentored ARQ Lapu-Lapu can also count the likes of John Abad, Reno Berame, Franz and Monbert Arong, Fletcher Galvez, Chris Regero and Lloyd Solid as they try to live and fight for another day in the league's bubble.

It would be a tall order though for ARQ Lapu-Lapu because aside from beating their foes twice, KCS-Mandaue parades a solid lineup powered by Gryann Mendoza, Al Francis Tamsi, former CESAFI MVP Shaq Imperial, Rhaffy Octobre, and the vastly improved forward Dyll Roncal.

They also have Monic Soliva, Joseph Nalos, Gileant Delator, and Steve Castro.

As if an added threat to ARQ Lapu-Lapu, Ping Exciminiano, who had been hampered by a strained hamstring all-tournament long, is back in the groove for KCS-Mandaue.

Whoever prevails in their semis showdown will challenge MJAS-Talisay in the best-of-three championship series starting Thursday, May 6. Game 2 is scheduled the following day while Game 3, if necessary, will be played on May 8.