Harbour, Magnolia face separate rivals

MANILA, Dec. 1 (PNA) -- Harbour Centre and Magnolia Purewater try to keep their 1-2 positions when they battle separate rivals on Tuesday in the 2008 PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Batang Pier, gunning for a record sixth straight title, renew their seething rivalry with the Hapee Toothpaste Complete Protectors at 2 p.m. with the former determined to complete a six-game sweep of the first round.

Just like the Batang Pier, the Magnolia Wizards hope to close out their first round campaign on a high note when they clash with the Bacchus Energy Warriors at 4 p.m.

The Wizards are sporting a 4-1 card following their impressive wins over Hapee (86-73) and Burger King (91-79) last week.

Hapee, which lost to star-studded Harbour Centre in the last two championships, is carrying a 3-2 card while Bacchus is tied with Toyota Otis and Burger King for 4th to 6th places at 2-3.

Magnolia coach Koy Banal hopes to ride on the crest of their back-to-back wins as they seek to improve their bid for one of two outright semis berths in the season-opening tournament.

With the Wizards enjoying their finest start in three years, Banal is again expected to field the same starting unit he used in their last two games which they both won in runaway fashion.

In those games, the Wizards built a big cushion in the first half – thanks to the gutsy plays of veterans Al Magpayo, Neil Raneses, JP Alcaraz and new players – Dylan Ababou and Chester Taylor.

The 6-foot-6 Taylor was a big revelation in the team’s victory over the BK Stunners as he sizzled for 13 points right in the first-half after making all but one of four three-point shots. He went on to finish with 18 points.

Though the Wizards have the decisive edge in height, Banal is not taking the Energy Warriors lightly, saying Bacchus is a dangerous team because of its youthful exuberance.

Expected to lead Bacchus are University of the East stars James Martinez, Paul Lee and Parri Llagas.

Despite the exit of star players like Fil-Am Gabe Norwood, Mark Borboran and Larry Rodriguez, Hapee Toothpaste remains a formidable squad and that’s the reason why Harbour coach Jorge Gallent remains wary of their rivals.

“I have a high respect for coach Gee (Abanilla), so I expect another wild finish,” said Gallent, who is expected to rely on veteran Reed Juntilla, Rico Maierhofer, Jerwin Gaco, Edwin Asoro and rookie sensation Mark Barroca.