"For us, it’s not enough to win Game Two," said Baculi after steering the Teeth Sparklers to a rousing 52-43 win last Tuesday to even the best-of-five showdown for the Sunkist PBL Unity Cup crown at one game apiece. "We have to follow it up with two more wins to bag the title."
With the momentum back to its side and with the Teeth Sparklers expected to play with renewed confidence, Hapee is again fancied in the series virtually reduced to a best-of-three affair with the winner in Saturday’s match moving a victory from clinching the championship.
Due to the expected big crowd, Game 3, set at 2 p.m., will be moved from the Pasay Sports Center to the Pasig Sports Center this Saturday. The game will still be aired simulcast over NBN-4 and Solar Sports Channel 29.
After being stunned by the Water Force in the series opener, 57-64, the Teeth Sparklers played with so much aggressiveness in Game 2, particularly in defense where they shackled Viva’s top guns Joel Co, Sonny Margate, Mark Isip and Gerard Jones.
"Naging effective kami in everything sa Game Two. Our gameplan was executed well, we limited their touches and we succeeded in checking their key men. Eugene Tan was at his best and so was Ryan Dy. Allan Salangsang and Wesley Gonzales played more confident. Everybody did their best," said Baculi.
"One reason is identified na namin ang mga target players unlike in Game One kung saan nangangapa pa kami," added Baculi.