Pharex alive; Magnolia dives

Pharex lived to fight another game by downing Magnolia Ice Cream, 81-73, even as Bacchus gained a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals as it stunned Harbour Centre, 79-75, in the 2009 PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup at the Guadalupe Viejo Sports Complex in Makati yesterday.

The Generix continued to play with great resolve with their back against the wall, notching their first back-to-back victories and improving their win-loss record to 3-7.

Ian Saladaga fuelled Pharex’ mighty start which the Generix were able to sustain to pull the rug from under the Purewater Wizards.

“We’re now playing well but we have to win two more games to stay alive,” said coach Carlo Tan. “We’re in the playoff mode right now.”

The Energy Warriors, earlier, got back at the Batang Pier, notching a crucial win that assured them a twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.

Paul Lee and Orlando Daroya played key roles in Bacchus’ victory.

The Energy Warriors nearly squandered a huge 17-point lead as Mark Barroca scored on a tough basket that pushed the Batang Pier to within 71-74 with 1:30 left in the game.

But Lee, who finished with 11 points, retaliated with a spectacular drive that all but unnerved the Batang Pier, 76-71, with only 38.1 second remaining.

“I told the boys to play as hard as they can, and they did not disappoint me. All played in the same page,” said Bacchus coach Lawrence Chongson.