Montana seeks first ever semis vs Pioneer five

Montana Pawnshop tries to clinch its first semifinal appearance in four conferences and gain a share of the lead when it battles Ateneo-Pioneer today in the PBL Challenge Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

With a 5-2 (win-loss) slate, the Jewellers need only a victory to advance to the next round for the first time since they joined the league last year although they are expected to encounter stiff resistance from the Blue Eagles who are also out to boost their own bid. Ateneo-Pioneer shares fifth place with Ana and Hapee with identical 3-4 marks.

Gametime is set at 2 p.m. "Every game we try to improve a level higher and hopefully we could get this one game versus Pioneer because it will ensure us a place in the next round," said Montana coach Leo Isaac.

"Basically, collegiate team ‘yan, so we’re anticipating speed and intensity to play a big part in the game. Ganoon pa rin naman ang magiging gameplan namin with a few changes to fit as counter strategy against Ateneo-Pioneer," added Isaac, who is expected to rely anew on Jacques Gottenbos, Gilbert Lao, Jenkins Mesina, Ernest Medina and Orly Torrente.

In the other game, Hapee hopes to get back on track as it collides with Pharma Quick at 4 p.m.

Although the Jewellers won over unfancied Pharma Quick last Thursday to snap their back-to-back setbacks, observers still believe the former are still far from recovering from those losses to Shark and Hapee Toothpaste.

"We’ve made the necessary adjustments, and hopefully nawala na yung stigma ng dalawang talo. I told the boys not to linger on those setbacks but rather learn from it to move onward," said Isaac. — Joey Villar

Ateneo-Pioneer is fresh from a 64-55 victory over Hapee Toothpaste.

Match-up will be focused on Ateneo-Pioneer’s Enrico Villanueva and Rich Alvarez against Montana’s Gilbert Lao and Ricky Calimag, while Blue Eagles Paul Tan-chi and Andrew Cruz will be up against Montana’s Torrente wand Saniel at the backcourt duel.