Cossack targets first semis berth vs Pharex

MANILA, Philippines - Unbeaten Cossack Blue shoots for the first semifinal berth as it squares off with Pharex B-Complex today at resumption of action in the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

Streak shooting James Martinez is expected to lead the Spirits’ bid again after averaging 20 points in the team’s last three victories, including a 24-point output in their 91-90 overtime win over sister team Cobra Energy Drink last week.

But against the Pharex Fighting Maroons, Martinez would need a lot of help and screens to sustain his scoring spree with support to come from Paul Zamar and Raffy Reyes.

Pharex, on the other hand, will lean on Woody Co, Marlon Adolfo, Arvie Braganza and Vic Manuel, who came off the bench to score 27 points in leading Pharex to a 103-89 over sister Ascof Lagundi last Saturday.

Gametime is at 4 p.m.

The Spirits swept their first four matches and need only a win to advance to the next round. The Maroons, on the other hand, are in joint second with Excelroof and Cobra with 3-1 marks.

Clashing in the 2 p.m. opener are AddMix and Ani-FCA with the former out to bounce back from a stinging 83-75 setback to Excelroof last week.

With a 1-3 record, the AddMix Transformers need to hurdle the winless Cultivators to stay in the hunt for a Final Four berth.

The top two teams after the single round elims will clinch a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis.