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Harbour, Magnolia gun for 2-0 lead but foes have other plans
Written by staff   
Saturday, 24 January 2009 06:13

Harbour Centre and Magnolia Purewater want to inch closer to the finals but rivals Hapee Toothpaste and Bacchus Energy Drink wanted to prolong their Philippine Basketball League (PBL) season.

The five-time champion Batang Pier and the Wizards gun for an imposing 2-0 lead against the Complete Protectors and the Warriors in their respective best-of-five semifinals series in the 2009 PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Harbour eyes a repeat of its 85-62 thrashing of Hapee in their 4:00 p.m. encounter while Magnolia hopes to sustain its momentum in an 80-66 demolition of Bacchus in the 2:00 p.m. openener.

Hapee is hoping to change its approach against Harbour’s height and speed advantage. Hapee was overpowered by Harbour’s 47-25 rebound advantage, a glaring statistic that resulted in several fastbreak plays for the Batang Pier.

“We have to play the game at a semifinals level. We have to match their intensity level if we want to have a chance," said coach Gee Abanilla.

But for Hapee to win Game 2, they need to contain Reed Juntilla, Rico Maierhofer, Jerwin Gaco and the returning Al Vergara, who are once again expected to lead Harbour’s charge.

“If we can play with the same level of energy, then we have a decent chance of winning again. But I expect them to make some adjustments," said coach Jorge Gallent, who’s Harbour crew already owns a record five titles and hopes to enter the finals for the sixth straight time.

Magnolia, meanwhile, hopes to duplicate its title run during the Arwind Santos and Kelly Williams era when they face Bacchus.

However, Magnolia coach Koy Banal said he expects to face a different Bacchus five. “One game can’t decide the series we still have to play a lot better to win the series."

Energy Warriors coach Lawrence Chongson also vowed to adjust their game in order to tie the series. “We hope to grow up overnight. Magnolia’s experience is making a clinic out of the series and we’re the campers."

“I have to find an antidote that would make our guys believe that we can compete at this level. We really have to raise our games several notches."
 
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