Hapee Toothpaste and Pharex try to keep their grip of second place as they take on Noosa Shoes and San Mig Coffee, respectively, in the PBL Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup today at The Arena in San Juan.
A win by the Complete Protectors and the Medics, at second place with 5-3 (win-loss) slates, pushes them closer to the idle five-peat seeking Harbour Centre Batang Pier, unbeaten in eight starts.
To beat the Dioceldo Sy-owned franchise, Hapee has to contain Noosa’s lethal group of streak shooters – Dom Javier, Jemal Vizcarra, John Wilson and reigning NCAA MVP Kelvin dela Peña.
“For us to beat them we have to contain Noosa’s shooters and limit their fast break and transition points,” said Hapee coach Louie Alas, who has won titles in the NCAA and the defunct MBA but never in the PBL.
“For us to do that, we need to stretch our defense a bit outside, challenge all their outside shots and match, if not surpass, their quickness,” he added.
Talented Fil-Am Gabe Norwood is expected to be the focal point of the Shoe Stars’ defense. The former US NCAA Division I George Mason standout leads the MVP race with averages of 13.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, a league high 2.4 steals and 1.1 blocks a game.