Sparks, Sealers set sights on playoff slots

The chase for the two outright semis berths in the 2007 PBL Silver Cup heats up today as Toyota Otis and Sista-St. Benilde shoot for playoff slots against separate rivals at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym in Manila.

Riding the crest of a three-game win run, the Sparks collide with the TeleTech Titans at 4 p.m., while the Super Sealers take on the Magnolia Spinners at 2 p.m.

Mail & More is so far the only team assured of a playoff for one of two automatic semis berths after finishing the classification round with a 7-3 (win-loss) record.

But four other teams have strong chances of catching up the pacesetters at the end of the round.

The Super Sealers and Sparks are locked up in a four-way tie for second with Harbour Centre and Hapee Toothpaste-Philippine Christian University at 6-3.

Toyota Otis coach Louie Alas said the Sparks are in good shape as shown in their previous three games which they highlighted by snapping Mail & More’s six-game streak, 81-71, last Saturday.

Though the Sparks beat the Titans the first time they clashed this season, 68-66, Alas said they should not take the Titans lightly.

"We’re playing well but we can’t relax especially against the Titans," said Alas. "They lost their last three games so I’m sure they want to get back on the winning track."

After torching the Comets with 25 points, Patrick Cabahug, the league’s top three-point king, is expected to spearhead the team’s bid along with guard Marvin Cruz and forward Dennis Daa.