Shark, John-O fight for life

Challenge Cup champion Shark Energy Drink and John-O fight for dear life as they battle separate rivals today in the 2002 PBL Chairman’s Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

The Power Boosters square off with Montana Pawnshop at 4 p.m. while John-O faces tall odds against front-running ICTSI-La Salle at 6 p.m.

Blu Sun Power hopes to improve its chances in making the five-team carryover semifinals when it meets RP Youth-Burlington in the 1:45 p.m. curtain raiser.

The outcomes of the three games could result in complications that would affect the semifinal chances of other teams.

A win over RP-Burlington will put the Detergent Kings in a three-way tie with idle Ana Freezers and Kutitap Toothpaste.

Shark not only needed the win to recover lost esteem from dismal 68-76 loss to Kutitap but also to forge a playoff for the last semifinals slot and hopefully make it to the next round by virtue of a higher quotient.

John-O, though considered underdogs, is set to give their all for a higher quotient.

The key will be the clash between Blu Sun Power and Ana Freezers on Friday, since the loser will end up in a three-way dispute for the last slot or even a four-way tie for the final two slots.

"We don’t only need to win, but also pray hard since our fate depends on whatever happens to the other teams ahead of us," said Shark coach Leo Austria.