Pacesetting Harbour, Magnolia battle lowly foes

Harbour Centre and Magnolia Purewater try to firm up their hold of the 1-2 positions as they take on separate foes today in the 2008 PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Batang Pier, gunning for a record sixth straight crown, go for a sweep of the first round against arch rivals Hapee Toothpaste Complete Protectors at 2 p.m.

The Magnolia Wizards, with a 4-1 card, try to close out their first round campaign on a high note as they square off with the Bacchus Energy Warriors at 4 p.m.

Like the Batang Pier, the Wizards are on a roll, beating Hapee, 86-73, and Burger King, 91-79, last week.

Hapee, which lost to Harbour in the last two championships, has a 3-2 card while Bacchus is tied with Toyota Otis and Burger King for fourth at 2-3.

With the Wizards enjoying their finest start in three years, coach Koy Banal is expected to field the same starting unit he used in their last two games which they won in runaway fashion.

In those games, the Wizards built a big cushion in the first half behind veterans Al Magpayo, Neil Raneses, JP Alcaraz and new players Dylan Ababou and Chester Taylor before coasting to the victories.

The 6-foot-6 Taylor sizzled for 13 points in the first half against the BK Stunners, making all but one of four three-point shots. He went on to finish with 18 points.