Entering the finals after ousting ICTSI La Salle in a sudden death in the semifinals, Shark had thought a second straight PBL Challenge Cup crown is in the bag. Then winning the first two games of the title playoff versus the Welcoat Paintmasters, the Power Boosters are now entertaining thoughts of winning the finals via a sweep.
The Power Boosters have that in mind as they clash with the embattled Paintmasters in Game Three of their title rematch at the Makati Coliseum tonight.
Gametime is at 3:30 p.m.
"Our real objective in this series is just to win the title," said Shark team manager Raul Panlilio. "But if we can score a sweep against a strong team like Welcoat, it would be sweeter."
Expressing guarded optimism was Shark coach Leo Austria. He said: "Welcoat has been in the finals so many times. They have rich championship experience. So hindi basta-basta bibigay iyan."
But Austria stressed they will be ready for a strong Welcoat comeback. He said: "I’m sure gagawa ng adjustments sa game nila iyan. But we also do intend to review the game tapes and make our own adjustments. And we’ll come into the game not only with plan A but also plan B."
Despite falling behind by two games in the series, Welcoat coach Junel Baculi, however, is not yet about to push the panic button.
"The series is far from over. But we need to get our act together if we want to get back in this series," he said.
Yancy de Ocampo and Renren Ritualo, both drafted and signed up by Airfreight 2100/FedEx, dished out solid performances in the first two games of the series but didn’t get the needed support from their teammates.
The Power Boosters, on the other hand, pulled one big games together Tuesday and Thursday resulting in a commanding two-zero lead entering tonight’s game.
Ervin Sotto, Warren Ybanez, Gerlad Ortega, Ismael Junio, Jing Rodriguez and Rolly Basilides have been contributing significant numbers for Shark coming off the bench.
Meanwhile, ICTSI-La Salle and Kutitap Toothpaste decide which team takes home the third-place trophy at 1:30 p.m.
The Teeth Sparklers took the opener, 90-68, before the injury-plagued Archers bounced back in Game Two with a 71-58 win.