Odds, momentum on Pharex side

MANILA, Philippines – A fired-up Pharex hopes to ride the momentum of its stirring win the last time out to make it two in row against undermanned Oracle Residences today and gain the pivotal win in their showdown for the PBL PG Flex Unity Cup crown at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig.

The best-of-five series is tied at one game apiece after the Bidang Generix drew level with an 81-72 victory last Thursday.

Focus will be on Pharex’s Fil-Am Chris Ross, who dished out an impressive 11-point, nine-rebound and eight-assist performance the last time out with six steals and two shot blocks to boot.

The Titans will surely clamp down on the prolific Ross, tipped to clinch the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors, although they will also have to keep their offense going without four of their mainstays, including Mark Barroca.

The spitfirish Barroca saw action in Game One and helped power the Titans to a 79-73 win but the FEU stalwart and three others had to join the RP developmental team for a series of exhibition games in Japan.

With a depleted roster, Oracle Residences struggled in Game Two with the rest of the Titans hard-pressed to step up big in their 3 p.m. encounter to stop the Bidang Generix from moving closer to a dream title run.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Youth team will play three-time Women’s PBL champion Ever Bilena in the curtain raiser at 12:30 p.m.

Supported by former PBL chairman Dioceldo Sy, the RP Youth team is preparing for a major international tournament in September.

“It’s going to be tough series,” said Pharex coach Carlo Tan. “But we are prepared for it.”

Oracle coach Glen Capacio and team manager Erick Arejola said they groped for form the last time which Pharex exploited to the hilt.

“We told the boys to forget about Game 2 and just stay focused in winning Game 3,” said Arejola. “Coach Glen and the boys are still upbeat of our chances.”

Aside from Barroca, the Titans are also without Mac Baracael, Aldrech Ramos and JR Cawaling, leaving the brunt of scoring to Rico Maierhofer, Chris Timberlake and Edwin Asoro.

Though the Titans dominated the board, 59-49, they struggled with their perimeter shooting, making only 26 of 81 for 32 percent against the 41 percent effort of the Bidang Generic (29-of-70).

Pharex also imposed its will inside, finishing with 11 shot blocks as against Oracle’s three. The Batang Generix also had nine triples, three of them from Ian Saladaga, against only three by the Titans.

Aside from Saladaga and Ross, Pharex will also rely on Ronnie Matias, Francis Allera and Sean Co along with guard Josh Urbiztondo and center Raymund Aguilar.