Games Today (Mandaue gym)
5 p.m. – ANI-FCA vs Mis. Oriental
7 p.m. – Opening Ceremony
7:30 p.m. – Mandaue vs Gensan

Action in the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) goes to Mandaue today for its fourth staging with Agrinurture Incorporated-FCA gunning for a breakthrough win against Misamis Oriental at the Mandaue gym.

Despite their massive recruitment effort in the pre season – tapping the services of former pros Boyet Bautista and Magnum Membrere and former UST star Khazim Mirza – the Cultivators dropped all their four games in the first leg won by Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu.

In all, the Cultivators have lost 11 straight games counting the seven in the last conference of the Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

But ANI-FCA management is convinced they have a good chance to improve this week when their boys battle the squad of coach Jun Noel at 5 p.m.

The Cultivators, however, have to play real smart defensively to finally savor the sweet taste of victory.

Clashing in the featured game of the event jointly organized by Liga Pilipinas and PBL are host Mandaue of former PBA star Al Solis and Gensan of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.

Home fans are hoping that Pacquiao will play for his team even just a game just like what he did when the hosted the second leg two weeks ago.

The hosts did not fare well in their debut last week in the Laguna stage as they finished only third behind eventual champion Treston-Laguna and Ascof Lagundi.

But Solis said that their second runner-up finish will serve them in good stead as they try to improve their standings in the 9-team event sponsored by Air21, Molten, Ascof Lagundi, Agrinurture, Treston College, Burlington and Basketball TV.

“This win gave us momentum since we will be the host of the fourth leg. More importantly, the third place finish allowed us to gain points which we can use in our quest for a quarterfinals seat,” said Solis.