Four slug it out for outright semis berth

Harbour Centre clashes with Toyota Otis while Hapee Toothpaste-PCU collides with Mail and More today in a pair of showdowns that would decide which two teams will automatically qualify for the semifinals in the PBL Silver Cup at the Parañaque Sports Center.

Tied on top after finishing the 10-game classification phase with identical 7-3 (win-loss) slates, the Port Masters battle the Sparks at 4 p.m. while the Teeth Spraklers take on the Comets at 2 p.m. for spots in the best-of-three semis.

The losers drop to the quarterfinal round where they are assured of a twice-to-beat advantage.

Four teams — Henkel-Sista, TeleTech, Cebuana Lhuillier-Pera Padala and Magnolia Ice Cream — will fight it out for the last two quarterfinal berths in another pair of knockout duels on Thursday.

For Harbour Centre it’s all about respect while Toyota Otis is eyeing a revenge in a rematch of last year’s PBL Unity Cup finalists where the former beat the latter in a thrilling showdown.

"It’s a very crucial game," said Harbour Centre coach Jorge Gallent. "For us to win, we need to execute well and stop their go-to-guys."

Gallent was referring to the pair of Marvin Cruz and Patrick Cabahug, the Sparks’ 1-2 punch.

Toyota Otis actually trounced Harbour Centre, 64-60, in their first and only match this conference last November. But the Sparks want to make it back-to-back.

"We just have to work harder and try to win it each game," said Toyota Otis mentor Louie Alas, who has won titles in the collegiate ranks and the defunct MBA but is still searching for a breakthrough win in the PBL.

While the Port Masters are expected to clamp down on Cruz and Cabahug, the Sparks will have to come up with a fine defensive job to neutralize JC Intal, who came up with an eye-popping 27-point effort in a 103-93 double overtime win over the Titans last week.

Jason Castro should also draw some of the attention after a whopping 33-point effort in a 98-90 triumph over the Moneymen Thursday that gave his team a chance at sealing an outright semis seat.

That output was the second best scoring performance in the season, next to the 34 put in by 2006 UAAP Finals MVP Jojo Duncil of Kettle Korn in a losing 128-133 triple overtime game to Magnolia Saturday.

That should pose problems for Mail & More coach Lawrence Chongson, who is expected to rely anew on the bull strong Joseph Quinahan, a leading candidate for the MVP award.