BATTLE FOR MARMONTE SUPREMACY TONIGHT.

Byline: Jim Inghram Daily News Staff Writer

Round 3 of the battle between Marmonte League boys' basketball heavyweights is tonight at 7 p.m.

It's Newbury Park High vs. the Simi Valley at Simi Valley High.

The Pioneers captured the first meeting 71-54 in the semifinals of the Simi Valley Tip-Off Classic. The Panthers won the next game, the first league meeting, 73-71 on Jan. 14.

Both teams dispatched their closest rival, Channel Islands, last week and have secured the top two spots. Both won home games Wednesday night.

Each team has two league games remaining after tonight, but the Panthers and Pioneers have proven they are superior to the remaining six teams in league and should capture those games.

That leaves tonight as the game of the season. At least until the playoffs start.

``What it comes down to is this game is for the league championship,'' Simi Valley coach Dean Bradshaw said. ``We're happy we have the opportunity to play them again and play them here (at home).''

Said Newbury Park standout guard Daniel Bobik: ``We will not have any trouble getting motivated for the game. Simi Valley is a great team. We know they will be ready.''

Player-by-player matchups, on paper, give the Pioneers the advantage at every position except for guard, where Bobik is regarded by many as the best player in the league and Ventura County.

But no team buys into the team concept better than the Panthers. Led by Bobik.

The Panthers start Mike Meru and Robert Congelliere up front and Brian Bobik and Luther Staine in the backcourt.

Brian Bobik's two free throws with two seconds left sealed the victory last month. Staine's 3-pointer 12 seconds earlier had tied it at 71.

``We really have to focus on what we do on the court,'' Daniel Bobik said.

Not many teams can match the Pioneers' top six of Rafael Berumen, Branduinn Fullove, Bret Michel, Ian Boys, Shaun Michel and Branden Foster.

The team is 21-3 overall and 10-1 in league.

``It's an important game,'' Fullove said. ``Some pride is on the line. We thought we could have played better there. We were down after we lost but we've refocused ourselves and made some minor adjustments that I think have made us a better team.''

The most intriguing matchup will be Fullove against Daniel Bobik.

In the last meeting, Bobik had 24 points, including four 3-pointers and six of six from the free throw line. Fullove had 10 points.

Fullove, the teams best defender, will have to slow Daniel Bobik and make the other Panthers players take up the slack. If Bobik plays his average game (double figures in scoring and rebounds) and contributes a significant number of assists and steals, the Panthers would be in position for victory.

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PHOTO Simi Valley's Branduinn Fullove (33) will be relied upon to slow Newbury Park's Daniel Bobik in tonight's showdown.

Phil McCarten/Daily News