Win crucial for Viva, more so for Hapee

Red-hot Viva Mineral Water-FEU guns for at least a playoff for the second finals berth today when it battles defending champion Hapee Toothpaste in a game that means so much for both squads in the semifinals of the 2004 PBL Unity Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.

With a pacesetting 10-1 win-loss record, the Water Force have the luxury of winning only two of their remaining five games to clinch the first finals berth. But coach Koy Banal doesn’t want to take chances, particularly against Hapee.

"This is a crucial game for us so it’s a must-win for us. Ang layo na ng hahabulin namin kung matatalo pa kami ulit," said Hapee coach Junel Baculi, whose title-retention bid suffered a major blow last Thursday when they lost miserably to Welcoat Paints, 70-50.

The two teams clash at 4 p.m. after the 2 p.m. tussle between Welcoat and Toyota-Letran with the Paint Masters hoping to score a follow up to their win over their bitter rivals.

The Teeth Sparklers beat the Water Force in a thrilling finale last year but the Morayta-based squad now appears to be standing on solid ground to win its first-ever PBL title.

And judging the way they torpedoed Toyota Otis-Letran, 84-69, also the other day, the Water Force are likely to cruise to a record 9th straight win — the longest streak in years. The Water Force have already matched Welcoat’s record of eight straight victories with that smashing feat.

Claiming he has the responsibility to their fans and to the league, Banal said they have no intention of lowering their guards eventhough they are almost a heartbeat away from claiming a finals berth.

"We still have to play as hard as we can every game, that’s our responsibility," said Banal.

If the Paint Masters they beat the Knights, they will keep their two-game lead over the Teeth Sparklers.

Welcoat is toting a 7-4 record followed by Hapee (5-6) and Toyota-Letran (4-7).

Despite their crushing setbacks, the Teeth Sparklers and Knights have still chances of forcing a playoff for the second finals slot although it’s going to be a tall order. Both teams have to win four of their last five games to gain a playoff under the 4-of-6 incentive rule.

Aside from their amazing eight-game winning streak, the other factor going for the Water Force is that they beat the Teeth Sparklers 67-64 in overtime the first time they clash this conference through the efforts of Arwind Santos.

Viva-FEU and Hapee are expected to put more premium on defense since both squads are noted in this department. Still, the Water Force enjoy huge advantage over the Teeth Sparklers because of their deeper bench.

Aside from Santos, Baculi’s other concern is how to stop Banal’s talented backcourt combination of Warren Ybanez and Dennis Miranda who are both dangerous inside and outside. Viva-FEU also boasts of prolific scorers like Mark Isip and Gerard Jones.