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Sports

Harbour, Hapee seek second win

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BAGUIOFancied Harbour Centre and Hapee Toothpaste try to move closer to another title showdown as they gun for win No. 2 against San Mig Coffee and Burger King, respectively, today in the Final Four of the PBL Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup at the University of Cordilleras Gym here.

The Batang Pier turned back a feisty San Mig side in the opener of their best-of-five series, pulling off a come-from-behind 76-74 win last Friday.

The Complete Protectors, on the other hand, bucked the loss of Jervy Cruz due to injury as they dominated the Whoppers, 82-70, to gain the headstart in their own series at the Tarlac State U in Tarlac City.

An expected banner crowd is expected when Harbour and San Mig Coffee collide at 3 p.m. and Hapee takes on Burger King at 5 p.m. as the league marks its long-awaited return to this summer capital since it staged PBL games here a decade ago.

After barely making it past San Mig Coffee, Harbour Centre has vowed to play doubly hard and come out stronger in today’s encounter.

“Expect a different Harbour Centre to show up (today),” said Harbour coach Jorge Gallent. “We have already discussed the things that almost brought us down and we must address it.”

Gallent, trying to steer the team to a record fifth straight crown, is particularly concerned with their transition defense and how to contain the prolific Bon Bon Custodio.

“We have to be sharper in defense and we need to stop Bon Bon,” said Gallent.

Despite their runaway win, Hapee mentor Louie Alas also guaranteed a more solid performance by his wards with Cruz a doubtful starter after sustaining a left hamstring injury in Game 1.

“Jervy is a doubtful starter. We will have minor adjustments on defense especially in some of the matchups because I expect Burger King to change some of their substitution patterns,” said Alas.

With Cruz, the reigning UAAP MVP out of commission, Fil-Am Gabe Norwood, Mark Borboran, Reed Juntilla and Larry Rodriguez hope to carry out the mission for Hapee.

“I just told the boys to stay upbeat and go back to our winning ways discipline,” said Burger coach Allan Gregorio.

ALLAN GREGORIO

BATANG PIER

BON BON

BURGER KING

HAPEE

HARBOUR CENTRE

PLACE

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