Moneymen seek 3rd win vs Roadkings

Harbour Centre, out to keep the momentum of its hard-earned win over Dazz the last time out, takes on winless Henkel-Sista today even as Cebuana Lhuillier Pera Padala seeks its third victory in four games against Toyota Balintawak in the PBL Unity Cup at the Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque.

The Batang Pier had to go through a wringer before notching an 81-78 win over Dazz last week in a victory which coach Jorge Gallent described as a big boost to his wards’ confidence following their 77-81 setback to league-leading and unbeaten Burger King, also last week.

"It was a hard win but I expected that because some of my players were not able to practice for various injuries," said Gallent. "But it’s a good sign. We just have to make some adjustments on our defense."

Gametime is at 2 p.m. with the Super Sealers also out to end a two-game losing run.

The 4 p.m. showdown between Toyota Balintawak and Cebuana Lhuillier Pera Padala is also expected to go down-to-the-wire.

While the Toyota Roadkings are coming off an impressive 66-51 drubbing of San Miguel-Magnolia, the Moneymen are reeling from a 69-80 defeat to the Burger Whoppers that snapped their two-game win run.

Still, coach Luigi Trillo believes his wards will come back strong and get back into the winning groove again.

After averaging 17 points in their first two games, Kenneth Bono was held by the Whoppers to just eight points as he struggled in the face of a sticky defense put on by JR Quinahan.

Since the Roadkings are known for their tough defensive stance, Bono and Doug Kramer, another 6-foot-5 scoring threat, are again expected to encounter tough challenge from their rivals.

Though the Super Sealers boast of the tallest player in the league in the 6-foot-9 Samigue Eman, the team has yet to dish out the kind of performance they played the last conference.

Mentored by Kaloy Garcia, the Super Sealers surprised everybody when they racked up four straight wins, including against the Batang Pier. But this time, they have to play real smart from start to finish for them to beat the Batang Pier.

Aside from JC Intal, Jonathan Fernandez, Jay-A Coching, Al Vergara and Ryan Arana, the Super Sealers must limit the production of last conference MVP Jason Castro.

The small but terrible guard, who was traded by Dazz in exchange for Reed Juntilla and Bogs Raymundo, exploded for 23 points the last time aside from making two clutch plays in the last two minutes that helped seal the win for the Batang Pier.

"In his first game for the team, he was hesitant to shoot, but judging his performance the last time, it seems he’s now feeling at home with the team," said Gallent. "But others must also step up. We have other players who can deliver at any given of time."