Leaders to step up bid for final

Action heats up in the Sunkist-PBL 2003 Unity Cup as Hapee and Viva fight it out for the lead and Montana tries to also stay at the helm against winless John-O in the second round of the semifinal round at the Pasay Sports Center.

Hapee eyes a repeat over Viva, which it overwhelmed, 63-49, last Saturday. The Teeth Sparklers, the Water Force and the Jewellers closed out the first round of the semis phase with identical 2-1 (win-loss) cards.

Allan Salangsang starred in Hapee win over Viva with 18 points, six rebounds and a steal although focus will be on Wesley Gonzales, who has been the most consistent Sparkler in the semis.

Against Montana last Thursday, Gonzales led the pointmakers with 14 points, two rebounds and a block, and delivered 10 points and four rebounds against Viva last Saturday.

And Tuesday night, he shone anew with 20 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.

But the Water Force have consistently shown they could be a force to reckon, making the 4 p.m. encounter a match to watch.

Due to technical difficulties, the two games will be aired over Solar Sports from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The National Broadcasting Network will telecast the Hapee-Viva encounter live at 4 p.m. and will air the John-O versus Montana game at 10-12 mn.

With three losses and no victory to show, John-O is hardpressed to break into the win column and revive hopes for a crack at the finals berth although the Senators will have to double their effort if they want to topple the Jewellers.

Expect Ranidel de Ocampo to spearhead the Senators’ bid in their 2 p.m. clash but coach Dong Vergeire will have to draw the best from the rest to foil the Jewellers.

"We’ll try to arrest our skid, and hopefully our defense could stop our rivals," said Vergeire.