Blu, Cheese collide today

Blu All-Purpose and Cheese Balls-Shark hope to bring their sibling rivalry to new heights as they battle each other today in the 2002 PBL Chairman’s Cup at the Makati Coliseum. Game time is 5 p.m.

The Detergent Kings are eyeing a victory to gain a share of second place while the Cheese Balls are hoping to bounce back from three consecutive losses.

Cheese Balls-Shark may have a taller twin tower combination in 6-foot-8 Irvin Sotto and 6-foot-6 Rysal Castro but Blu has the more seasoned tandem of 6-foot-6 Allan Gamboa and Marlon Legaspi.

The Cheese Balls also have a battery of shooters led by Ismael Junio, Mark Magsumbol, Topex Robinson and Nani Epondulan not to mention the three-point snipings of Cebuano Stephen Padilla.

But the Detergent Kings have equally good gunners but with a fighting heart led by Aries Dimaunahan, Eric de la Cuesta, Tristan Codamon and Lou Gatumbato, and their distinct defensive style could easily arrest their rivals’ fiery offense.

"We know very well that Cheese Balls-Shark is raring to bounce back from three consecutive setbacks but we will not let that happen at our expense. Defense will play a big part in this game so I told the boys to strike at every opportunity,’’ said Blu coach Leo Isaac.

"Sana nga makabawi kami this time. We will try to match Blu’s defensive strength and give them a good fight to the end," replied Shark coach Jing Ruiz.