Hapee eyes share of lead vs Montana

Heavy favorite Hapee Toothpaste guns for a share of the lead with Blu Star Power as it takes on dangerous Montana Pawnshop today in the Sunkist PBL Unity Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.

Beefed up by Ateneo standouts Rich Alvarez and Larry Fonacier, the Teeth Sparklers smashed the Water Force, 59-42, in the March 23 inaugurals of this 21-year-old amateur league.

The two Eagles contributed 13 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and two shotblocks but it was their key baskets in the crucial stretches of the second half that sparked the pivotal run.

Hapee coach Junel Baculi said that the entry of Alvares, Fonacier and two more Ateneans — Wesley Gonzales and LA Tenorio — further strengthened the Teeth Sparklers’ bench, making them the team to beat this season.

Baculi, however, cautioned his boys for being the fancied team: "Alam naman natin na mahirap ang maging paborito kasi lahat gusto kang talunin."

ICTSI, for its part, seeks to include reigning Challenge Cup champion Welcoat Paints on its list of victims as the two collide at 3 p.m.

Unleashing its dreaded full-court press, the Archers stunned Welcoat’s conqueror John-O, 62-71, over the weekend to improve to 1-1, good for a share of second place along with its victim, Montana, LBC Batangas and Nutri-licious.

ICTSI coach Franz Pumaren is expected to throw its pet defense on the Paint Masters, who are still reeling from the loss of starters Romel Adducul, Eddie Laure and Ronald Tubid to the PBA and key supporting casts Dennis Miranda, Donn Yabut and Mark Isip to Viva.