John-O seeks revenge vs ICTSI

John-O seeks to accomplish three things when it clashes with lone tormentor ICTSI La Salle in today’s triplebill in the Sunkist PBL Unity Cup at the Makati Coliseum before the league takes a five-day Lenten break.

Riding the crest of a huge 71-68 overtime win over fancied Hapee Toothpaste Saturday, the Senators gun for another one with hopes of extending their amazing streak to five, tie the Grease Busters (5-1) at the helm and avenge their 62-71 loss to the Archers last March 30.

"This will be a very important game for us because it will accomplish a lot of things if we win against ICTSI," said John-O coach Dong Vergaire. "The most important thing in this game is that we want to get back at the only team that defeated us."

Expect Vergaire, one of RP cage team coach Aric del Rosario’s assistants, to come up with a solution to the Archers’ vaunted full-court press that cost the Senators their only loss in five outings.

ICTSI, for its part, tries to improve its 2-2 record and bounce back from a stinging 56-60 defeat to Montana Pawnshop over the weekend.

Blu Star Power hopes to get back on track following Sunday’s 66-72 loss to resurgent Viva Mineral Water (3-3) as it tackles Montana (2-3) at 3 p.m. in the second game.

Problems on adjustment and lack of focus, however, continue to hound the Detergent Kings, runners-up to the Ateneo Eagles in last year’s Chairman’s Cup.

After five games, Blu has survived upset tries in its three wins and dropped two mainly due to inconsistent plays by its point guards and the failure of its new frontline acquisitions – Ruel Buenaventura, Roland Pascual, Melvin Taguines and Randy Lopez – to make their presence felt in the shaded area.

"Obviously we’re still adjusting," said coach Leo Isaac minutes after losing to Viva. "We can’t play like this if we want to contend for the title again."

Also in today’s offering is the match between skidding Welcoat Paints and Nutri-licious at 1 p.m.

The Paint Masters are hoping to come out of the rut after absorbing their fourth setback against a win while the Juicers try to improve their 2-3 card.