Shark tests souped-up rival

Challenge Cup champion Shark Energy Drink and Montana Jewels take on separate rivals on their debut today in the 2002 PBL Chairman’s Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

Shark hopes to gauge its title chances as it clashes with equally strong contender Kutitap Toothpaste at 6 p.m. while Montana collides with Ateneo in the curtain raiser at 4 p.m.

The winners of the twinbill will join early leaders John-O Juzz and ICTSI-La Salle which hurdled its debut match against Blu Detergent, 66-55, in Wednesday night’s main encounter.

Coach Leo Austria knew how Kutitap firmed up its line-up during the off-season compared to the Power Boosters who kept an intact 11-man line-up. And this game would be an acid test if the Raul Panlilio-owned squad could live up to expectations of building a dynasty of sort in the PBL.

"This game will be a good gauge since everybody expects Kutitap as our toughest title rival," explained Austria. "Nothing is sure. I don’t know how the experience of our intact line-up would fare against a talent-laden Kutitap this time."

"Comparatively, jelled na kami unlike Kutitap na kailangan pa ng jelling kahit malalakas ang players nila. But that’s no reason for us to play complacent. We still have to be up on our toes and give our best," he added.

For Kutitap coach Koy Banal, a win over the Power Boosters will be a big boost to the Teeth Sparklers’ morale. He has 6’6 James Razon and 6’5 Alwin Espiritu to match up against Shark’s twin towers.