Shark seeks shorter route to semifinals

Defending champion Shark Energy Drink seeks an outright entry to the semifinal round as it goes up against Montana Pawnshop today at the close of the elimination round of the PBL Challenge Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

Both the Power Boosters and the Jewelers need the win in the 3:30 p.m. encounter.

Shark is trying to avert a possible three-way tie for the No. 1 spot with Welcoat and ICTSI-La Salle at 9-5. In this case, the Paint Masters will clinch the first semis berth with the Power Boosters and the Archers clash in a sudden-death match for the other semis slot.

On the other hand, Montana, in a three-way tie with Ana Freezers and Ateneo-Pioneer with 4-9 cards, hopes to stay alive for the crossover quarterfinals.

A victory by the Jewelers will line them up against the winner of the Ateneo-Pioneer-Ana Freezers encounter at 5:30 p.m.

"Kailangan talaga so we don’t have to go through the playoff. Aside from going through the playoff, naroon din yung danger na matalo pa kami sa playoff and eventually struggle through the crossover quarterfinals," said Shark coach Leo Austria. — Joey Villar

Though the Power Boosters are favored over the Jewelers, whom they blasted, 69-50, in the first round last Nov. 24, Austria is not taking their rivals lightly.

"Likewise, Montana is also fighting for survival and that makes the Jewelers a very dangerous team. So hindi kami dapat maging kumpiyansa and we should strike at every opportunity para masiguro na," he added. – Joey Villar