Pharex spills Cossack Blue, rises to PBL’s top spot

Pharex B Complex had the right antidote against Cossack Blue as it dealt the erstwhile unbeaten team its first loss, 96-66, in the 2010 PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at The Arena in San Juan City. The Fighting Maroons waxed hot right in the opening tip while their defense shackled the Vodka Spirits’ fearsome small men en route to snapping Cossack’s four-game streak and catching their victims at first place with a 4-1 record.

“We really wanted to come out with that killer’s mentality and make sure that if we had that comfortable lead, we wouldn’t let them back," said Pharex B coach Abboy Castro. Woody Co had 18 points to lead four Pharex B Complex players in double figures as they outplayed even Cossack Blue’s vaunted guards. Jorel Canizares finished with 15 points while JR Taganas produced another double-double output of 14 points and 16 rebounds for Cossack but James Martinez, who averaged 20 points a game, was held down to just nine markers on a woeful 2-of-7 shooting. Other guards like Earn Saguindel, Raffy Reyes and Paul Zamar also failed to break the tight defense thrown at them by Pharex, combining for a measly 2-of-23 shooting. “Ang guards ang buhay ng team na ito [Cossack] alam nating lahat at grabe ang Canizares, of course, Martinez at yung iba pang maliliit na sina Saguindel, Reyes at Zamar. So we really made a conscious effort to stop the small guys. We knew if they missed their shots, especially on the 3-point range, we will be getting the rebounds," Castro said. True enough, the Vodka Spirits made just 5 of 25 attempts from the rainbow country and the Maroons dominated the boards, 59-38. Pharex B Complex raced to a 32-11 first quarter lead as Marlon Adolfo had eight markers and Co and Martin Reyes fired 14 points between them while only Canizares and Martinez could score for Cossack. By halftime, Pharex’s lead stood at 21, 49-28. The Fighting Maroons went on to set their biggest lead at 36 points, 91-55, late in the fourth period. Castro believes that his team has more to show. “I believe we will be in the semifinals. Right now, we are at number one spot. But it’s still a long way to go and I want to see my team in this position after the elimination to have that twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals," Castro said. - GMANews.TV