Welcoat fights for semis slot, Blu for survival

For title-favorite Welcoat Paints, an easy ride to the semifinal round is what it seeks. For a skidding Blustar Detergent, it is survival.

The Paint Masters gun for an outright semifinal berth while the Detergent Kings aim to breathe life to their flickering semis hopes as the two collide today in the PBL Unity Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.

Currently at second place with a 6-1 (win-loss) slate, Welcoat shoots for another win in its 4 p.m. encounter with Blustar hoping to join pace-setter Viva Mineral Water-FEU (7-1) at the helm and in the semis where the two await the other two semis qualifiers.

Blustar, for its part, is looking to sweep its four remaining games for a spot in the magic six and a chance at cracking a slot in the Final Four including this tough game against Welcoat, which beat the former in its first round duel.

So that is why Welcoat coach Carlos Garcia is wary of the Detergent Kings?

"We know we’re the favorites but Blustar is a team capable of playing big against stronger teams so that is the reason we will not be complacent against them," he said.

Playing complacent is the last thing on Jojo Tangkay’s mind though as he is expected to spearhead the Paint Masters in their quest for a fifth PBL crown.

Tangkay, who has been averaging more than 20 points per game for his team, is teaming up with an equally explosive Chester Tolomia and a talented and veteran crew composed of Dino Aldeguer, Marvin Ortiguerra, Dominic Uy, Ariel Capus and Lou Gatumbato.

The Detergent Kings, at the bottom of the standing with a 1-5 record, for their part, could only get consistent play from team skipper Eric dela Cuesta, who is good for about 17 markers a match.

Meanwhile defending champion Hapee Toothpaste seeks to end a two-game skin as it takes a dangerous Montana Pawnshop side, at 2 p.m.

The Teeth Sparklers are presently at No. 4 spot with a 3-3 card and are the only team with realistic chances of challenging the Paint Masters for a quick ticket to the next round although a win by the latter would dampen their former’s hopes.

The Jewels tote a 2-5 card and are tied with the Lee Pipes-Ateneo Eagles at sixth place.