Hapee sparkles, moves closer to Silver Cup final

Jayson Castro dished out another MVP-like performance as Hapee Toothpaste-PCU smothered a listless Mail and More, 81-65, yesterday to close in on the PBL Silver Cup finals at The Arena in San Juan.

Castro, who helped the Dolphins make the NCAA Finals the last three seasons highlighted by a title conquest in 2004, fired 23 points including nine in the fourth quarter in carrying the Teeth Sparklers to the win that gave them a 2-0 edge in their best-of-five semifinal duel with the Comets.

Meanwhile, Chico Lanete fired a personal season-best 31 points as Harbour Centre walloped Toyota Otis, 80-74, to level their own semis series at one game apiece.

"He (Castro)’s an all-around performer and he showed that in this game," said Hapee-PCU coach Jun Noel.

Castro, who also had five rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block, now leads the MVP statistical race, having overtaken erstwhile leader JR Quinahan of Mail and More.

Quinahan had another sub par effort, finishing with just five points.

"For me, he (Castro) deserves to be an MVP," said Noel, who has handled a score of prolific scorers like retired PBA players Jojo Lastimosa, Dondon Ampalayo and Johnadel Cardel.

Mike Bravo scored 20 points while Ronjay Buenafe added 12 but the Comets, who dropped a 67-81 decision in Thursday’s Game 1, again couldn’t get the needed boost from Quinahan.

"We played aggressive defense, that could be the reason," said Noel.