Harbour, Toyota face off for crown

Harbour Centre coach Jorge Gallent was right on the dot when he predicted that their PBL Unity Cup title series with Toyota Otis would go the full route.

Now he’s saying they’d win it all.

The Port Masters and the Sparks clash in a winner-take-all match for the PBL Unity Cup crown in what promises to be a classic Game 5 between two teams with contrasting styles.

"I told you there’ll be a Game 5," said Gallent after his wards bashed the Sparks, 73-55, Thursday to force the do-or-die match. "Now I’m telling you we’ll win this one."

That’s easier said than done.

For Toyota, a squad that thrives in set-up plays in the half-court, is no stranger to sudden deaths.

"We won the NCAA titles twice, both via deciding games. This is no different, I know the boys are used to this pressure and I expect them to come through," said Toyota Otis coach Louie Alas.

However, the Sparks would probably have to get the job done without top gun Aaron Aban, who averages 13.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in the series, but sprained his right hand in Game 3 and didn’t see action in Game 4.

"If Aaron was around, they (Port Masters) can’t dominate the boards. He really wants to play, in fact, he was pleading, but I did not allow him because it might just be aggravated," said Alas.

For Harbour Centre, a defensive fast-breaking team, execution, both in offense and defense, will be the key.

"It’s hard to do it but the one who make proper plays and adjustments will win the series," said Gallent. "No ifs and buts about it, that will decide the series."

"If we want to win the series we have to be sharp on both ends of the court. If we can’t execute our plays, then we will have a hard time stopping Harbour Centre," said Alas.

"It’s hard to be a champion, it’s like threading the eye of the needle," said youthful Harbour Centre team owner Mikee Romero, thrilled over the prospect of the franchise winning the title in just their third conference.

Focus will be on Harbour’s prolific troika of LA Tenorio, Joseph Yeo and Chiko Lanete while expect Toyota Otis to lean again on Fil-Am Joe Devance, Boyet Bautista and, if he’s healthy to play, Aban.

Lanete made up for a scoreless Game 3 by firing 20 points in Game 4 while Tenorio added 15. Yeo was held to just a point but made up for the scoring slack in other departments.

Devance, a former standout of Division I school University of Texas-El Paso, on the other hand, came out of his shell in Game 4 with a big 16-point, 13-rebound effort but didn’t get the needed back-up support with Bautista struggling and Aban injured.