LBC-Batangas, ICTSI dispute last semis seat

LBC-Batangas and ICTSI square off in a knockout match for the last semifinal seat in the PBL Challenge Cup at the Makati Coliseum today.

Winner of the 4 p.m. encounter will battle the twice-to-beat Welcoat Paints in the crossover semifinals starting Saturday at the Pasig Sports Center.

The Batangas Blades prevailed, 84-80, in their first round meeting last Nov. 18 but the ICTSI Archers bounced back with an overwhelming 79-39 victory Monday night to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

That victory may give ICTSI the psychological advantage in today’s game although coach Franz Pumaren knows LBC-Batangas is raring to get back.

"I know they’ll be giving their best to bounce back today. But the boys are in high spirits and I’m impressed with the kind of teamwork they’ve shown in that game. If they’ll stay focused on the match and show the same intensity, I’m very confident we’ll be in the semifinals," said Pumaren.

Minus the injured Dino Aldeguer, Fil-Am Rob Johnson has been taking good care of the backcourt chores.

League-leading scorer Mark Cardona and James Yap will again play vital roles alongside Dominic Uy, Bruce Dacia and Edrick Ferrer.

Batangas coach Nash Racela hopes his wards execute their patterns well to survive this knockout game.

"Hopefully, things will turn better for us as the boys really wanted to get into the semifinals. We reviewed the tape, pointed out our lapses and hopefully, we deliver," said Racela.

Racela is likely to lean heavily on Al Magpayo, Ralph Rivera, Allan de Castro, Ronald Allan Capati and Alex Compton.