.
Harbour Aims to Keep Clean Slate vs. Toyota
(April 15, 2008)

Games Today
(EAC gym, Manila)
2 p.m. – Burger King vs Bacchus Energy
4 p.m. – Toyota Otis vs Harbour Centre

After catching a big fish in Hapee Toothpaste, Toyota Otis wants a bigger one as it collides with league-leading Harbour Centre today in the PBL Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym in Manila.

But do the Sparks have enough firepower to stop the streaking Batang Pier?

If Toyota Otis coach Ariel Vanguardia is to be believed, the Sparks have what it takes to put an end to Harbour Centre’s 9-game winning run.

“I think we can match up well against Harbour. All we have to do is to play honest and tough defense against them,” said Vanguardia. “The last time we played it was a close game.”

“The boys are in high spirits, so I think we have a better change this time,” added Vanguardia who sees another exciting showdown with the Batang Pier. Game time is set at 4 p.m. with the Mikee Romero-owned Harbour Centre determined to clinch the first semis berth in the season-ending tournament.

Clashing in the first game at 2 p.m. are Bacchus Energy Drink and Burger King.

The Rey Oben-owned Toyota Otis is locked in a four-way tie with Noosa Shoes, Pharex and Burger King, so expect the Sparks and Whoppers to come up with an A-game to improve their chances of gain twice-to-beat privileges in the quarterfinals.

Likewise, the Bacchus Raiders need to win today’s to boost their faltering fortunes. With a 4-7 win loss card, they need 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 Nokia-Philippine Youth team which is a guest team – will be booted out.

Jason Castro starred for the team’s 89-83 win over the Sparks last month when he tallied 19 points, including a huge three-point shot down the stretch that turned the things around in Harbour Centre’s favor.

The high-leaping Castro is expected to be pitted against fellow NCAA star in RJ Jazul who is fast emerging as Toyota Otis’ take charge guy. Jazul was instrumental in the team’s 76-73 win over Hapee the last time out.

Jazul was not yet in Toyota’s rosted when both teams clashed in the first round.

Aside from Castro, also expected to give Vanguardia big headache are TY Tang, Sol Mercado, Jonathan Fernandez, Jeff Chan, Al Vergara, Beau Belga and Chad Alonzo.

Back to top

Castro Hotly Pursued in Singapore
(April 14, 2008)

In his final playing year with Harbour Centre and the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), it looks like Singapore beckons next for star point guard Jason Williams Castro.

Serious negotiations are now in the works between the pint-sized Batang Pier playmaker and the Singapore Slingers for Castro to become the first Filipino to play as import in the Australian National Basketball League.

Both parties are currently discussing the length and worth of the contract that will have the Slingers paying Castro a monthly salary of $30,000 a month, an offer that could even stretched to as high as $50,000. Castro and agent Danny Espiritu however, are haggling for a $60,000 monthly pay.

Ben Knight, team captain of the Slingers, the first Asian-based club in the NBL, said the ballclub is really bent on pursuing the services of the former Philippine Christian University stalwart, with whom the Slingers first fell in love with when they played the Harbour Centre-backed RP team in a series of exhibition games last year in Singapore as part of the Nationals' preparation for the 24th Southeast Asian Games.

Knight had become even more impressed with Castro when he played against him in the recent South East Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Champions Cup in Jakarta, where the Slinger team captain played as import for the Malaysian national team. "He's improved a lot the first time I played against him. Shooting, dribbling skills, everything," said Knight.

Likewise, he added the presence of Castro, former back-to-back PBL Most Valuable Player (MVP), would help draw the crowd in during Slingers' games at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, considering the huge number of Filipinos currently based as overseas workers in the 'Lion City' "I say Jason could probably attract 2,000 Filipinos to come in and watch him and the Singapore Slingers play," Knight added.

Playing overseas meant skipping this year's Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft for Castro, where he is already eligible to apply.

But Espiritu said they are really seriously considering the Slingers' offer since it is a once in a lifetime deal. At the most, they are looking to sign a two-year contract before Castro, 22, plies his trade to the PBA.

Harbour Centre team owner Mikee Romero also wishes Castro the best. "I am not one who will hinder the growth and development of my player. It's a good opportunity for Jason and I really do wish him the best. Hopefully, he can help us win a championship again before he leaves Harbour Centre," said the basketball patron.

Winner of two PBL championships with the Batang Pier and two more cage titles with the national squad, Castro again showed his value for Harbour Centre when he scattered 15 of his game-high 25 points in the third period of the team's 10364 rout of the Nokia RP Youth squad Saturday to emerge as the PBL Player of the Week. His heroics had Harbour Centre coasting to a franchise best 9-0 record and a win away from clinching the first outright semis berth in the PBL Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup.

Back to top