Toyota Letran seeks revenge

Toyota Otis-Letran takes on Harbour Centre today, hoping to avenge the first of its three heart-breaking setbacks in the elims while Magnolia is heavily favored to notch its fourth win in nine games against winless Nenaco-SBC as the PBL Unity Cup enters its crucial phase at the Pasig Sports Center.

The Knights, toting a 5-3 (win-loss) mark, are on a three-game streak, including an 80-66 win over the Paint Masters last Saturday. But to get back at the Port Masters, they need to stop Mark Cardona, the very player who foiled them the first time they met last month.

It was one defeat Toyota coach Louie Alas could not forget. The Knights charged back mightily from a 16-point deficit to take the lead, 73-72, on a jumper by Dennis Daa. But Cardona, the league’s leading scorer with an average of 27 points a game, buried a three-point shot with barely a second left to quash Toyota’s whirlwind comeback.

"It was one big loss but we learned so many lessons from that defeat. We played so relaxed in the first half that’s why nabaon kami," said Alas. "I just hope na makabawi kami sa kanila."

Alas stressed that he will still use the same strategy but will employ different offensive and defensive schemes in a bid to limit the production of Harbour’s top guns, among them Cardona, LA Tenorio, Gabby Espinas, Jenkins Mesina and Magnum Membrere.

In offense, Alas will be pinning his hopes on Mark Macapagal, the team’s leading scorer, Emerson Oreta, JP Alcaraz, Christian Coronel and the vastly-improving Daa.

Gametime is at 4 p.m.

The Port Masters, however, will be out to repeat over the Knights as they try to notch their seventh win in nine games and firm up their hold of second spot following the defeat of Welcoat Paints to Granny Goose Kornets the other day. Montaña Pawnshop remains on top at 8-1 with Welcoat slipping to third at 6-3.

Clashing in the 2 p.m. opener are defending champion Magnolia Dairy Ice Cream and Negros Navigation-San Beda with the Wizards out to arrest a two-game losing streak.

The Wizards will parade a new direct hire Fil-foreign player in Kelly Williams in the hope of reviving their faltering campaign in the season-ending tournament. The 6-foot-5 Williams, a Fil-Am, took over the slot of guard Ramsey Williams who was ineffective to the team. Williams isn’t really a threat from the outside but with his athleticism, he could be an asset to the team.

Still winless in eight games, the Red Lions will also have a new player in their fold in Jeff Bombeo when they tangle with the Wizards.