Well-rested Burger quintet
takes on struggling Hapee 5

BURGER King hopes to close out its first round campaign on a happy note when it battles a beleaguered Hapee Toothpaste squad while San Mig Coffee tries to arrest a two-game losing skid today in the PBL Livopitan Amino Sports Cup at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Although they are coming off a 9-day break, the Whoppers are the heavy favorites over the Complete Protectors in their 4 p.m. encounter on account of their impressive win over Pharex the last time out.

Before ending Pharex’s three-game winning run, the Whoppers rallied strongly in the final period to score a pulsating 53-50 win over Bacchus Energy Drink.

Clashing at 2 o’clock are San Mig Coffee and Bacchus Energy Drink, with both teams determined to regain their winning ways.

Like the Coffee Kings, the Bacchus Raiders are aching to snap a two-game losing run to improve their chances of reaching the quarterfinals of the season-ending tournament.

The Raiders tote a 2-5 record against the 2-4 of the Coffee Kings who absorbed a stinging 86-92 loss to Toyota Otis last Tuesday.

A win by the Whoppers will enable them to grab solo second behind unbeaten Harbour Centre (6-0). The Whoppers are currently tied with Pharex at 5-2.

Two days after struggling against Harbour Centre, Hapee coach Louie Alas still is puzzled by his charges’ performance. Struggling all day long–both offensively and defensively–the Complete Protectors were bamboozled by the Batang Pier 88-69.

"I can’t understand whey they played so bad that day. We lost because Harbour really played great but I can’t understand why we lost by that big a margin. I an really disappointed," said Alas.

Alas, however, is upbeat they can overcome the early trials they’re facing right now.

"I think they’re still adjusting to my system. But if they want to play in the finals again, they have to play real smart," said Alas. "It should start with our game against Burger King."

Alas hopes that Gabe Norwood and Reed Juntilla can recover from their so-so performances against Harbour. Norwood was held to just 10 points while Juntilla managed only two points on 1-of-7 shooting from the field.