Magnolia targets semis vs Hapee

Magnolia Purewater tries to start the New Year right as it shoots for the second outright semis berth against Hapee Toothpaste while league-leading Harbour Centre hopes to repeat over Burger King as the 2009 PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup returns today after a long holiday break.

With a second-best 7-2 win-loss record, the Wizards need only to beat the Complete Protectors at the San Beda College gym starting at 2 p.m. to clinch the second automatic semis berth in the season-opening tournament.

The Batang Pier, who secured the first semis berth as early as Dec. 20, clash with the BK Stunners at 4 p.m. with the Jorge Gallent-mentored squad gunning for its ninth win in 10 starts.

Harbour Centre got a free ride to the semis after Pharex shocked Hapee, 88-76, two weeks ago.

With an 8-1 record, the Batang Pier will be playing in the semifinals for the sixth straight time since joining the league in late 2004.

Though they’re coming off a tough tune-up game against the tall Singapore Slingers squad in Singapore on Sunday, Gallent remains wary against the Stunners – that despite their 83-70 win in the first round.

"We have to play smart against them," Gallent, who is expected to rely again on the wily plays of veterans Reed Juntilla, Jerwin Gaco, Boyet Bautista, Benedict Fernandez and Rico Maierhofer, said.

Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero said they lost to the Slingers but they still earned raves from team owner Bob Turner.

In his text message to Romero, Turner said: "You should be very proud of your guys, they have given us one of the most competitive games in the Challenge Series we have. Full credit to the culture you instilled."

Romero added that it was only in the last two minutes that the game was finally settled as the Slingers, bannered by a 7-foot-4 center, imposed their height advantage.

Gallent and Romero can also count on rookies PJ Barua, JR Cawaling and Mark Barroca.

Expected to deliver the goods for the BK Stunners are veterans Abby Santos, Marcy Arellano, Nestor David and San Beda ace Ogie Menor.

Magnolia coach Koy Banal, on the other hand, will again bank on Dylan Ababou, Chester Taylor, Al Magpayo, JP Alcaraz and Neil Raneses – the very same players who played key roles in their 86-73 win over the Complete Protectors in the first round.

With former Ateneo star Chris Tiu still not available to play for Hapee, former UAAP  MVP winner Jervy Cruz has to play extra hard to improve their 4-5 record.

According to Hapee manager Bernard Yang, Tiu is still vacationing in the United States but he hopes that the former UAAP star will arrive in time for the quarterfinals.

http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT20090106144972.html

Magnolia targets semis vs Hapee

Magnolia targets semis vs Hapee

Magnolia targets semis vs Hapee :: Comments