Welcoat seeks solo lead vs Blu

Welcoat guns for the solo lead as it clashes with Blu Detergents today even as Ana Freezers and Kutitap Toothpaste collide in the other game in the PBL Challenge Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

Tied at the helm with ICTSI-La Salle with identical 3-0 slates, the Paintmasters are slightly favored over the Detergent Kings in their 5:30 p.m. encounter although the latter is out to improve its 3-1 mark in a bid to wrest the lead from the joint leaders.

"Blu is a tough team but we believe we have an advantage inside which we hope to capitalize on," said Welcoat coach Junel Baculi, who is expected to rely on the 6-foot-8 Yancy de Ocampo and the streak-shooting pair of Ren Ren Ritualo and Jojo Manalo.

"I told the boys not to be overconfident after we won our first three games since the next five games will be a lot tougher," added Baculi.

Ana Freezers and Kutitap Toothpaste, both toting 2-3 marks, part ways in the 3:30 p.m. opener.

The Freezer Makers are coming off a come-from-behind 92-82 victory over the Ateneo-Pioneer Insurers last Saturday and will be clashing with a Kutitap team reeling from back-to-back setbacks. – Joey Villar