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HARBOUR
CENTRE has yet to drop a game in the 2008 Philippine
Basketball League (PBL) Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup after
nine matches.
And yet,
Batang Pier head coach Jorge Gallent is still looking
for consistency from his players who, at one stage, were
outplayed by the RP Youth squad in their previous game.
Now a
game away from the first semifinal seat, Gallent knows
his team could not play the same lackluster way when it
goes up against the dangerous Toyota Otis in the main
game on Tuesday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College
gymanasium in Manila.
The game
is set at
4 p.m. with Batang Pier eyeing their 10th-straight win.
Burger
King hopes to end a four-game losing streak when it
collides with Bacchus Energy Drink at
2 p.m.
Despite
blasting the young Nationals on Saturday, 103-64,
Harbour Centre worked out a sweat when the 18-and-under
squad of coach Franz Pumaren outscored the Batang Pier
(25-23) and outrebounded (22-20) the defending champion
in the first 20 minutes of the game.
“We
can’t play like that the rest of the tournament. We have
to maintain our discipline,” said Gallent, whose wards
were up by just seven, 46-39, going into the second half
against the youngsters.
That
mindset will be very crucial for Batang Pier, especially
that their opponent, the Toyota Sparks, are coming off a
76-73 upset of Hapee Toothpaste that put them back in
contention.
“I think
we can match up well against Harbour. All we have to do
is to play honest and tough defense against them. The
last time we played it was a close game,” said Sparks
mentor Vanguardia.
“The
boys are in high spirits, so I think we have a better
change this time,” he added.
Toyota
is currently locked in a four-way tie with Noosa Shoes,
Pharex and Burger King in the team standings and a win
over Batang Pier would boost the Sparks’ chances for a
twice-to-beat privileges in the quarterfinals.
Harbour
prevailed in their first meeting, 89-83.
In the
first game, the Raiders of coach Lawrence Chongson try
to stave off what’s left in to avoid elimination when
they seek an important win against the struggling
Whoppers.
At 4-7
win-loss card, Bacchus needs to win their remaining four
games to avoid being eliminated early.
The top
two teams after the double-round elims will secure
outright semis berth while the last two placers – except
for guest team RP youth – will be booted out in the
tournament.
Standings:
Harbour Centre 9-0, Hapee 8-4, San Mig Coffee 5-5,
Toyota Otis 5-6, Noosa Shoes 5-6, Pharex 5-6, Burger
King 5-6, Bacchus 4-7, Nokia RP Youth 0-6. |
