Welcoat-Shark Part IV

Shark drew strength and inspiration from its unfancied players while Welcoat Paints relied on the veteran Ren Ren Ritualo as they pulled off contrasting victories yesterday to arrange a showdown for the PBL Challenge Cup crown at the Makati Coliseum.

The Power Boosters called on Jing Rodriguez, Gerald Ortega, Warren Ybanez and Rolly Basilides at crunchtime to turn back the ICTSI-La Salle Archers, 58-56, and set up a best-of-seven title duel versus the Paint Masters on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Paintmasters, with Ritualo on the firing end, got back at the Kutitap Teeth Sparklers and ran away with a 106-88 rout.

It will mark the fourth time in the last four conferences that Welcoat and Shark will clash in the finals.

"We’re eager to face them (again)," said Welcoat coach Junel Baculi.

Ganged up majority of the way, Ritualo mocked his defenders as he fired a league-record 20 first quarter points. The Paintmasters took a 37-23 lead and never looked back.

While Welcoat had a surprisingly easy time in disposing of Kutitap, Shark needed to fight back from 42-50 deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to earn another trip to the finals.

Actually, the Power Boosters trailed from the first quarter but bounced back in the fourth as Rodriguez, Ortega, Ybañez and Basilides stepped up with key plays and big baskets to fashion out the stirring win.

Rodriguez got his points off rebounds, Ortega fought hard in the shaded area, Ybanez had a pair of defensive gems while Basilides scored the marginal two foul shots in the homestretch to anchor the victory. — Joey Villar