FRESH from its stunning quarterfinals win over Magnolia
Purewater, Cobra Energy Drinks hopes to sustain its amazing run when it battles
No. 1 Oracle Residences today at the start of their semis series in the PBL PG
Flex Unity Cup at the San Juan gym.
The Energy Warriors, composed of star players from University
of the East, have lost to the Oracle Titans in two earlier meetings this
conference but are expected to come out strong in the 2 p.m. clash, with their
three deadly guards–Paul Lee, James Martinez and Rudy Lingganay–expected to lead
the charge.
Licealiz, the No. 2 team in the classification round,
collides with Pharex in the other semis pairing at 4 o’clock, with the Hair
Doctors hoping to sustain their mastery over the Bidang Generix.
The Oracle-Cobra game will be aired starting 3 p.m. on CS9
while the Licealiz-Pharex tiff will be shown on Basketball TV starting 6
o’clock.
Oracle coach Glenn Capacio admitted Cobra, with Lee, Martinez
and Lingganay hitting their stride, will be hard to beat. But he intends to use
their height advantage to the hilt.
That will be the job of veterans Rico Maierhofer and Edwin
Asoro. The 6-foot-6 Meirhofer is out to prove he can carry the Titans even
without RP team members Mark Barroca, Mac Baracael and Aldrech Ramos who are
campaigning in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Also expected to play major roles for Oracle are Chris
Timberlake, John Wilson and Benedict Fernandez.
The Hair Doctors also hold a 2-0 advantage over the Bidang
Generix in their personal duel this conference but the Lamoiyan franchise has to
raise its game several notches higher to beat the Pascual Laboratories-owned
squad anew.
Pharex secured the third and outright semis berth with big
wins over Magnolia and Oracle.
Expected to spearhead Pharex’s attack are Ian Saladaga, Chris Ross, Ronnie
Matias, JR Gerilla and Francis Allera while Licealiz coach Egay Macaraya can
count on MVP contender Jervy Cruz, Josh Vanlandingham, James Sena, Lance
Convento and Dino Daa.
