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Harbour Faces Toyota Otis
(November 11, 2008)

Games Today
(Ynares Sports Center, Pasig City)
2 p.m. – Harbour Centre vs Toyota Otis (M)
4 p.m. – Bacchus vs Hapee Toothpaste (M)
6 p.m. – Discovery-RP vs Oracle-FEU (W)

It’s no longer a secret about the desire of Toyota Otis to end the dynasty of Harbour Centre.

But just how ready the Toyota Otis Sparks are for that mission will be known today when they clash with the Batang Peir even as Hapee Toothpaste collides with Bacchus Energy Drink in the 2009 PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

With both teams boasting of grizzled veteran warriors and a sprinkle of rising stars, expect another rugged and interesting showdown when they rekindle their rivalry at 2 p.m.

Both teams engaged in an emotional title showdown three years ago with the Batang Pier charging back from a 2-1 deficit to win the Unity Cup title – the first of a record five straight championships.

Equally interesting is the 4 p.m. showdown between Hapee Toothpaste and Bacchus Energy Drink with both teams expected to unravel their surprise package for the season-opening tournament.

Capping a busy schedule for the country’s premier amateur basketball league, Discovery Suites-RP Women’s team test the mettle of UAAP champion Far Eastern University-Oracle Residences at 6 p.m.

The Lady Tamaraws are facing a daunting task of beating the Nationals but coach Michael Oliver is not discounting the possibility of scoring an upset since his wards are out to prove to something.

In the opening of WPBL, Nutri-C-Ateneo put one over bitter rival Sunkist-La Salle as Cassy Tioseco came through with a double-double performance, tallying 23 points and 21 rebounds, to help power the Lady Eagles to a 60-46 win over the Lady Archers.

Showing no ill-effect of the departure of their marquee players, including three-time MVP Jason Castro, Sol Mercado, Beau Belga, TY Tang and Chad Alonzo, the Batang Pier fired stern warning to their rivals by scoring a masterful 83-66 win over the Pharex Generix in the opener on Saturday.

Vanguardia acknowledged that Harbour Centre remains a force to reckon with but said his boys are fully prepared and well motivated this time around.

“It will be tough but we will come prepared. We’re a hungry team and this will be an acid test for us,” said Vanguardia, who plans to put up a special kind of defense on Harbour’s Rico Maierhoffer, Reed Juntilla, Mark Barroca and Neil Cervantes to limit their production.

“To limit their production, we have to make them work on both ends,” said Vanguardia, who is hoping to get a big spark from former La Salle ace JV Casio, James Mangahas, Patrick Cabahug, Fil-AM Chris Timberlake, James Sena and Jonathan Aldave.

Hapee coach Gee Abanilla, who took the place of Louie Alas, said he will go for a total team effort rather than individual play in their bid to end a series of runner-up finishes.

But if things go wrong for them, the Complete Protectors are likely to lean on the board shoulders of former UAAP MVP winner Jervy Cruz.

The Bacchus Raiders, on the other hand, will rely on University of the East stars like Hans Thiele, Parri Llagas, James Martinez and Orlando Daroya.

The 6-foot-3 Daroya is expected to provide additional excitement with his power play.

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