Hair Doctors, Titans near title playoff

MANILA, Philippines - Oracle Residences and Licealiz dominated their respective rivals to gain the headstart in their best-of-three series in the semifinal round of the PBL PG Flex Unity Cup at the San Juan gym yesterday.

The Titans reasserted their mastery over the Cobra Energy Warriors, 83-70, while the Hair Doctors clobbered the Pharex Batang Generix, 83-72, to move within a win from arranging a title showdown for this year’s PBL crown.

Oracle used a big second quarter attack to turn what was expected to be a close contest into a rout.

The Energy Warriors, who beat the Magnolia Wizards for the last semis spot, struggled in the face of the Titans’ fiery charge headed by the comebacking Jerwin Gaco and Rico Maierhofer.

Fil-Ams Lance Convento and Josh Vanlandingham led Licealiz with 18 points apiece but it was Jim Viray who provided the spark in their third quarter breakaway with his triples. He finished with 11 points.

“We were too aggressive in the first half but we settled down to get this win,” said Licealiz head coach Egay Macaraya, whose wards actually trailed, 33-38, the Batang Generix early in the third before wresting control at 74-55.

While Gaco and Maierhofer dominated shaded lane, Benedict Fernandez provided the outside firepower for the Titans, scoring 12 points in the last quarter.

Despite the win, Oracle coach Glenn Capacio remains wary of their rivals.

“We can’t afford to relax,” said Capacio.  

Maierhofer had 17 points and 10 rebounds while Gaco, who made his first game since playing for Harbour Centre last conference, had 16 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes.

“It’s a big comeback for Jerwin (Gaco). He stepped up and provided the leadership,” Capacio said of Gaco, member of all six championships won by Oracle sister team Harbour Centre.

Fernandez came through with back-to-back triples to open the final quarter for Oracle, which roared to a 74-51 behind a bristling 14-2 run, 6:38 left in the contest.

Cabahug and Pari Llagas led Cobra with 12 points apiece and combined for 15 rebounds while Val Acuna finished with 10 points.