Batang Pier eye No. 8; Sparks try to keep run

Fresh from another blowout win, unbeaten Harbour Centre is heavily favored to prevail over winless Pharex today in the PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup at the Arellano gym in Manila.

The Batang Pier, who routed the Magnolia Wizards, 94-76, last Tuesday, are looking for their eighth straight win in their 4 p.m. encounter as they try to inch closer for one of the two outright semis berths.

With a 7-0 record, the Batang Pier need to win three of their remaining five games to advance outright to the Final Four.

Rico Maierhofer and PJ Barua, according to team manager Erick Arejola, will be back for Harbour after missing the game the last time out.

Toyota Otis, meanwhile, also tries to extend its win streak to four when it battles Hapee Toothpaste at 2 p.m.

Though they lost to the Complete Protectors in the first round, 76-67, the Sparks are on a roll, winning their last three games, including an 87-77 overtime victory over the Burger King Stunners last week.

JV Casio, who helped steer La Salle past Ateneo in the just concluded Philippine Collegiate Champions League finals, is expected to lead the Sparks’ charge against the Hapee side.

“I’m expecting a very tough game, they beat us in the first round so we’re aching to play them again and start the second round on a high note,” said Toyota Otis coach Ariel Vanguardia.

Hapee will bank on former UAAP MVP Jervy Cruz, Roel Hugnatan and rookies Ely Olarte and Josh Vanlandingham while Toyota is expected to lean on Letran star RJ Jazul, James Sena, Erick Rodriguez and Jonathan Aldave.