Naughty Needlez wins

MANILA, Philippines - Naughty Needlez Tattoo-MJM tries to close out its elimination round campaign on a winning note when it meets dangerous Sea Lions in the 2012 MBL  First (Open) Conference basketball championship at the RTU gym in Boni Ave in Mandaluyong.

Gametime is 7:30 p.m.

Although already assured of a slot in the knockout phase with a 4-3 win-loss record, Naughty Needlez -MJM is is still in the thick  of the fight that will determine its opponent in the knockout stage of the nine-team tournament. sponsored by Smart Sports, Ironcon Builders, Cebuana Lhuillier, Dickies Underwear and PRC Couriers.

Naughty Needlez-MJM can finish as high as No. 3 or as low as No. 6 after the single-round elimiantion.

In the knockout stage, the No. 3 team will meet the No. 6 squad while the No. 4 team will tackle the No. 5 squad in a pair of knockout matches.

The winner of the game between the No. 3-No. 6 team will advance to meet the No. 2 team, while the victor of the match

between the No. 4 -No. 5 team will squre off against the top-ranked team.

The No. 1 and No. 2 teams, however, enjoy twice-to-beat advantages over their semifinal opponents.

At 2-5, Sea Lions is alreadcy out of contention for the top six places.

But  acting Sea Lions playing coach Rey Alao vow to give their best to close out their campaign on a bright note.

Expected to lead the campaign of Naughty Needlez-MJM are ex-pros Chris Calaguio and Warren Ybanez, Erik Rodriguez, ack Corpuz and movie/TV personalties Gerald Anderson, Jon Hall, Marco Alcaraz and Luis Alandy.

Sea Lions, on the other hand, will pin its hopes on ex-pro Estong Ballesteros,  Pol Santiago, Leimar Navarro, Jeff Sanders, Ismael Junio, and Chris Aqualifull.

Meanwhile, the MBL Corporate Cup 2 will  finally get underway late next week.

Eight teams, led by defending champion Star Group of Publications, Wang’s-PRC Couriers  and Victoria Court, are expected to see action in the tournament, which severs as part of the MBL’s  12 th year anniversary celebrations.

For inquries, call/text 0920-9629603.