Shark firms up bid, smothers Montana

Frontrunning Shark Energy Drink reasserted its supremacy over Montana Pawnshop, 52-43, yesterday as it fortified its bid for the outright first finals slot of the PBL Challenge Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

Only Rysal Castro scored in double figures with 10 points and had seven rebounds but the Power Boosters sustained their fiery first quarter run to beat the Jewellers and notch their 10th victory in 12 games.

It was the second setback in the semis by Montana, thus losing its bid for a playoff for the second finals berth via the leagues 4-of-5 incentive. The Jewellers took their sixth loss overall in 13 outings.

"Pinaghandaan talaga namin ito nang mabuti, and we were able to contain Orly Torrente and Jacques Gottenbos, and allowed Gilbert Lao to score six points only in the first quarter," said Shark coach Leo Austria.

The only team standing in the way of a projected Shark-Welcoat title showdown is Hapee Toothpaste which the Power Boosters will face tomorrow.

Shark seized control early, 21-6, sustained the run in the next two quarters before thwarting every Montana attack in the fourth to remain on top of the heap. — Joey Villar