Shark firms up bid, rips Welcoat

Shark played sharp to beat Welcoat this time as the Power Boosters rode on an explosive second quarter charge to blast the Paint Masters, 75-57, yesterday and firm up their lead in the semifinal round of the PBL Chairman's Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

Glenn Peter Yap fired 12 of his 24 points in the second quarter as the Power Boosters broke away from a tight 18-15 game to post a 43-29 lead at the turn which they used as the springboard to post their 12th victory in 14 games.

Not only did the Power Boosters boost their championship bid but they also got back at the Paint Masters in a game billed as a preview of the championship. Welcoat, which dropped to 10-4, beat Shark twice early in the conference.

Three other Power Boosters churned out identical 10 points while the rest backed them up with a resolute defense to stymie the bid of the Paint Masters.

Earlier, Ana Freezers turned back Bingo Pilipino, 74-55, to keep its flickering finals hopes alive.

Rookie Dondon Mendoza, a product of Luzon College of Dagupan, Pangasinan, scattered eight of his total 13 points in a big first quarter run by the Freezers, who jumpstarted to a 22-14 lead and were never threatened en route to clinching their first win after four setbacks in the semifinal round.

The team, however, must sweep its last four games to avail itself of the league's five-of-eight incentive for a playoff for the last finals berth.

"Anything can happen here so I believe we still have a chance," said Ana coach Dante Gonzalgo.

Marvin Ortiguerra, member of the mythical first team in the last conference, continued to struggle but still managed to come up with 11 points and seven rebounds to help Mendoza in giving the team its fifth win in 14 games overall.

Michael Robinson led two other Bingonaryos in double figures with 14 points but their effort failed to scuttle the determined bid of the Freezers as Bingo Pilipino took its seventh setback against as many victories. -