8 provincial games lines up for Fiesta Conference


THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) once again kicks off the import-laden 2009 Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference with a sole opening game on the road pitting Burger King against Sta. Lucia on February 28.

Dumaguete City hosts the duel between the Realtors and Titans in the first of an eight-game provincial schedule slated for the season-ending tournament.
The league also opened last year's Fiesta Conference outside of Metro Manila as Coca-Cola and Talk `N Text played in Panabo City, Davao Del Norte.

Adding interest to the tip-off match is the debut of national coach Yeng Guiao, who will be calling the shots for Burger King, the former Air21 Express.

A week later (March 7), the tournament motors to Batangas City for the encounter between Purefoods and Rain or Shine. The Giants are expected to parade new acquisitions Don Allado and KG Canaleta against the young and promising Elasto Painters led by the rookie tandem of Gabe Norwood and Sol Mercado.

Newly crowned Philippine Cup champions Tropang Texters make their debut in the season ending tournament against the Titans on March 14.

The league's next stop will be at Victorias City, Negros Occidental on March 21 with Purefoods again testing the mettle of Rain or Shine before Red Bull and Ginebra cap the out-of-town sorties on the month of March with a game in Davao on the 28th.

"We expect to get the same warm reception the PBA always receive from the fans whenever it brings its games to the provinces," said league commissioner Sonny Barrios.

San Miguel plays its first provincial game on May 2 in Tacloban City opposite Rain or Shine, while Coca-Cola gets its baptism of fire on the road by clashing with Talk `N Text in Bohol on May 9.

Alaska takes its turn on May 16 in Legazpi City when it tangles with Barangay Ginebra.


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