Oracle shoots for outright semis berth

MANILA, Philippines – Oracle Residences shoots for the first outright semis berth as it takes on Licealiz at the start of the second round of the classification phase in the 2009 PBL PG Flex Unity Cup at the San Juan gym today.

The Titans swept the first round of the five-team field in impressive fashions and are fancied to repeat over the Hair Doctos to advance to the next round ahead of everybody else.

Gametime is at 2 p.m.

Cobra Energy Drink and Pharex tangle at 4 p.m. with both teams out to rebound from similar defeats to boost their respective semis bids.

The Energy Warriors absorbed a 69-67 loss to Magnolia the other day while the Bidang Generix dropped a 78-87 decision to the Hair Doctors also last Thursday for identical 1-3 (win-loss) marks.

The top three teams after the classification round will advance to the semis with the last two meeting in a best-of-three quarterfinal series.

The Titans whipped the Hair Doctors, 73-64, in the first round but Oracle coach Glenn Capacio remains wary of Licealiz following its victory over Pharex that leveled its record at 2-2.

Despite the absence of top players Chris Tiu, JV Casio and former UAAP MVP Jervy Cruz, the Hair Doctors controlled the tempo of the game, leading as many as 21 points before thwarting off the Bidang Generix charge at endgame.

James Sena fired 20 points and finished with 10 rebounds for Licealiz.

Casio and Tiu are currently training in the US with the RP developmental team while flu-stricken Cruz remains a doubtful starter.

The Titans will also be without four RP members in Mark Barroca, Mark Baracael, Eldrech Ramos and JR Cawaling with Capacio to lean on Rico Maierhofer, Edwin Asoro, Benedict Fernandez and rookie Fil-Am Chris Timberblake.