Sparks, Jewels battle fired-up foes in Final 4

Toyota Otis and Montaña hope to come out strong from a week-long rest as they play two teams trying to keep the momentum of their big victories in the quarterfinals as semifinal action in the 2006 PBL Unity Cup fires off today the Olivarez College Sports Center.

"A week’s rest is good enough to prepare us physically and mentally for our semifinal series with Rain or Shine. Sobrang lakas itong kalaban namin," said Toyota Otis coach Louie Alas, whose Sparks battle the high-powered Elasto Painters in the 4 p.m. main game of today’s Final Four doubleheader.

The Jewels, for their part, clash with the Harbour Centre Port Masters in the first semifinal game, a best-of-five affair, set at 2 p.m.

For finishing the elimination round as the Nos. 1 and 2 teams, the Sparks and Jewels earned outright berths to the Final Four, while they watched the Elasto Painters and Port Masters battle for the two remaining semis slots.

But at the same time, the incentive also rendered them out of action at least for seven straight days.

Montaña last played exactly a week ago when it defeated Harbour Centre, 95-84, while Toyota Otis had an even longer rest, playing its last game May 18 yet following a rousing 89-85 overtime win over Magnolia.

Alas said the break could work either way, although he’d rather look at the positive side of the matter.

"Ang disadvantage baka medyo rusty kami, kasi we haven’t played for nine days. Pero ang kagandahan naman, napahinga ’yung mga players ko na may iniinda like sina (Aaron) Aban and Boyet (Bautista)," he said.

Rain or Shine and Harbour Centre went through the harder route and have less time to prepare for the semis playoffs.

The Elasto Painters cut short Magnolia Spinners’ Final Four bid behind a 65-60 win. The Port Masters on the other hand, negated the twice-to-beat edge of Granny Goose Snack Masters with back-to-back victories including the 73-60 semis clinching triumph Thursday night.