PBL: Pharex aims to extend its Linoleum Cup season

MANILA, Philippines – The Pharex Generix just wanted to keep on playing in the 2009 Philippine Basketball League (PBL) PG Flex Linoleum Cup. In order to achieve its goal, Pharex needs to sweep its last three elimination round games to earn a quarterfinals berth. First of those three games is against Magnolia Purewater on Saturday as the Jappy Pascual-owned squad, which holds a 2-7 mark, collides with the semis-bound Wizards at 4:00 p.m. at the Guadalupe Viejo Sports Complex in Makati City. Aside from trying to stay alive in the season-opening tournament, the Carlo Tan-coached Generix also aims for its first back-to-back win and avenge its 88-80 overtime loss to Magnolia in the first round. The well-rested Pharex crew defeated Hapee, 88-76, on December 20. But the Koy Banal-mentored Wizards are aiming to snap its skid to two after suffering from consecutive defeats at the hands of the Hapee Complete Protectors, 76-73, and the Toyota Otis Sparks, 95-75, that put their record at 7-4. One way of avenging that first round loss to the Wizards, is that Pharex bigmen Alfred Gerilla and Ronnie Matias need to make their presence felt inside the paint. Another one is to stop Magnolia’s scoring trio of Dylan Ababou, Al Magpayo and Neil Raneses, who's been averaging in double digits for the Wizards. Aside from Gerilla and Matias, Pharex will also lean on the heroics of guards Ian Saladaga, John Melegrito and top rookie pick Chris Ross. One loss by Pharex will endanger its quarterfinal chances and allow Bacchus and Hapee, 5-6, get a free ride in the next round. After Magnolia, Pharex will test Bacchus Energy Drink on Tuesday (January 13) and close out its season against Toyota on Thursday (January 15). – GMANews.TV Standings W L Harbour 9 1 Magnolia 7 4 Bacchus 5 5 Hapee 5 6 Toyota Otis 4 6 Burger King 4 7 Pharex 2 7 Games Saturday (Guadalupe Viejo Sports Complex, Makati) 2:00 p.m. – Bacchus vs Harbour Centre 4:00 p.m. – Magnolia vs Pharex