The Daily Tribune <<< Without Fear or Favor >>>

»HEADLINES

»NATION

Pharex, Burger King try to stay alive

01/13/2009

Pharex and Burger King try to stave off early elimination today when they collide against equally dangerous rivals as the race for the last three quarterfinals berths further heats up in the 2009 PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym in Manila.

With a 3-7 record, the Pharex Generix must win their last two games, including today’s 2 p.m. crucial showdown with tournament revelations Bacchus Energy Warriors to advance to the next stage of the season-opening tournament.

The BK Stunners are also in the same boat not only with the Jappy Pascual-owned Generix but also with the Toyota Otis Sparks who are playing hot and cold in the tournament many expected they will dominate right from the start.

Despite the management’s massive recruitment effort, the Sparks have only four wins to show in 10 matches after dropping their first three games in the first round. They also dropped their first three games in the second round before snapping it with a crushing win over the Wizards last week.

Toyota Otis coach Ariel Vanguardia, however, is determined to steer the team’s fortunes around starting today as they’re itching to play in the finals once again after a failed bid three years ago.

The BK Stunners hold a 4-7 mark, so like the Generix, they must also beat the Sparks at 4 p.m.to keep their flickering hopes alive.

Five-time champion Harbour Centre and Magnolia have already clinched outright semis berths on account of their superior win-loss records – 9-2 and 7-5, respectively.