Toyota Otis, Pharex clash in vital match

The battle for the last quarterfinal slot comes to a head today with the red-hot Pharex squad going up against Toyota Otis in a virtual do-or-die match in the 2009 PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym in Manila.

Though both teams hold identical 4-7 win-loss records, the Pharex Generix are the odds-on favorites when they collide at 4 p.m.

Clashing in the first game at 2 p.m. are early semifinalist and five-time champion Harbour Centre and Hapee Toothpaste.

 The Complete Protectors will gain the other twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinal round should they prevail over the Batang Pier.

“We have to win this one, this is very important for us,” said team manager Bernard Yang.

The Batang Pier, however, hope to end their campaign in the elimination on a high note and give team manager Erick Arejola a fitting birthday present today.

Though the Batang Pier are coming off a 79-75 loss to Bacchus last Saturday, they are installed heavy favorites over the Complete Protectors whom they beat in the first round, 87-77.

If Toyota Otis beats Pharex, Hapee will still emerge as the No. 4 team even if it loses to Harbour Centre because of its better quotient over the Sparks and Burger King Stunners.

But if Hapee loses and Pharex wins, Burger King will gain the second twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals since they have a better quotient in a three-way tie with Hapee and Pharex at 5-7.

Pharex coach Carlo Tan has a high respect for the organization of Toyota Otis but he believes his boys are now more focused and he expects them to play a lot harder and smarter this time.

“The team seems to be having fun and focused on playing well, so I am hoping that we’ll rise above this challenge,” said Tan, who is expected to rely again on center JR Gerilla, Ian Saladaga and Don Villamin.

The Sparks, on the other hand, have to match the intensity of the Generix in the shaded lane to get out of the rut.

“We have to defend their isolation plays and block out their athletic big men. This is war for us,” said coach Ariel Vanguardia, who hopes to get an inspired game from La Salle ace JV Casio and Letran’s RJ Jazul.