Granny, Harbour face off for last semifinal slot

Harbour Centre and Granny Goose Tortillos dispute the fourth and last semis berth in the 2006 PBL Unity Cup today at the Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque.

Expect Harbour to lean on Joseph Yeo and LA Tenorio, who came up with superb games in the team’s 59-51 victory over Granny Goose to force a sudden death in their quarterfinal series.

After an atrocious shooting in the first half, Yeo came alive in the second half, drilling in 11 points and adding five more in the fourth to cap the team’s stirring come-from-behind win.

Tenorio was equally impressive as he orchestrated the team’s offense. He tallied 9 points, six rebounds and three rebounds as he totally outfoxed the taller Kevin dele Peña of Granny Goose.

The rubber match was necessitated after Granny Goose Tortillos secured a twice-to-beat advantage for finishing third in the elims with an 8-6 mark.

Gametime is set at 3 p.m. with the momentum clearly on Harbour’s side.

"We’ll go for it. If Joseph and LA will make their shots from the outside we have a very good chance," said Harbour coach Jorge Gallent. "I’m very sure they will make some adjustments but we’ll be ready for them. The boys are really determined to win the series."

The Port Masters, for one, are out to slay the ghost of their heartbreaking loss last year when they blew away their twice-to-beat advantage to the Snackmasters in the same stage.

"Lahat sila gusto makabawi, so I hope they will give their best from start to finish," said Gallent.

The winner in the series will face No. 2 Montana Pawnshop in the best-of-5 semis starting on Tuesday.

Toyota Otis and Montana claimed the two outright semis berths after finishing 1-2 in the elims.

Rain or Shine clinched the third semis berth by beating Magnolia Ice Cream, 65-60, a victory that enabled the defending champion to bury the bitter memory of their shocking collapse in the Heroes Cup last February.

Rain or Shine will face Toyota Otis in the other semis series.

Despite their win the other day, Gallent refused to be swayed, saying: "It’s hard to beat Granny Goose for two straight games. I have high respect for their coach and to their players."