Shark repeats over Welcoat

Ervin Sotto continued to hold his ground against Yancy de Ocampo, and Shark Energy Drink repeated with a 67-58 victory over Welcoat Paints last night to take a commanding two-to-nil lead in the PBL Challenge Cup best-of-seven finals at the Makati Coliseum.

Sotto bucked a sprained ankle sustained in Game One Tuesday, tallying 18 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks to lead Shark to the decisive victory.

"A number of my players are playing hurt but their big hearts carried us through," said Shark coach Leo Austria.

"I just hope my players don’t become complacent. Yun ang problema namin in the past. Sana patunayan ng team na mature na sila," Austria added.

Shark did play with a big heart and Sotto best typified this by outsmarting and outhustling De Ocampo despite his injury. Sotto held down his St. Francis of Assisi teammate to only 14 points.

Renren Ritualo, although having to fight off fatigue because of his daily workout with the Philippine national training team, scored a game-high 21 points but failed to get the needed support from his teammates.

Sotto, on the other hand, drew substantial help from Chester Tolomia, who came up with 13 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Just like in Game One, Shark played the catch-up role in the opening half before making a bold move with searing attacks in the last two quarters.

The Power Boosters outscored the Paintmasters, 21-10, in the third quarter as they surged ahead, 50-41, after trailing by two, 29-31, at halftime.

Welcoat, behind De Ocampo and Ritualo, launched a 9-1 run to close in at 50-54, only to self-destruct in the homestretch.

Meanwhile, ICTSI-La Salle scuttled a listless Kutitap Toothpaste squad, 71-58, to force a deciding game in their best-of-three playoff for third place.

Nelbert Omolon and Mike Cortez led the ICTSI-La Salle charge with 14 and 13 points, respectively, as the Archers set up a rubbermatch tomorrow.