RP-Harbour faces Indons for crown

JAKARTA – Despite injuries to three key players and up against a team playing on home turf, coach Junel Baculi is confident Harbour Centre-Philippines can defy the odds and win the 2007 SEABA Champions Cup here today.

Baculi said they had devised new plays and strategies to break the Indons’ zone defense and transition game that spelled the difference in their first meeting Wednesday.

It’s all or nothing for the two teams as they’re expected to meet in a rematch today, deciding who will win the title and advance to the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Tehran, Iran next month.

The final game is set at 6 p.m. (7 p.m. in Manila) at the Britama Arena.

Harbour Centre-Philippines and SM Britama-Indonesia were fancied to whip Vietnam and Petronas-Malaysia, respectively, last night at the close of the one round robin eliminations.

The Nationals came out in high spirits after practice and meeting with the coaching staff Thursday. Their morale was also boosted by the arrival of Harbour Centre owner and amateur basketball godfather Mikee Romero here Thursday night.

"I’m confident we can get back at Indonesia. We hardly knew anything about them in our first meeting. But now we know how to play them," said Baculi.

"But playing the host team, we have to play beyond and above adversities. But I think the boys are ready to respond to the challenge," added Baculi. "In our first two games, it appeared that it had yet to sink into them what we’re here for. I have reminded them what is our mission and they must now come out with a sense of urgency."

With the championship at stake, the Nationals are coming out in full force with imports Julius Nwosu and Vidal Massiah and guard Chico Lanete nursing injuries. Nwosu is suffering a jammed hand, Massiah a bruised knee and Lanete a sprained ankle. Massiah and Lanete were still limping yesterday.

"I’m suiting up but if I can’t jump and I can’t run, I can’t play," said Massiah.

Harbour Centre-Philippines is up against the SM Britama squad whipped up to championship form by Filipino coach Nat Canson.