Harbour targets semis seat; WPBL title series begins

Harbour Centre and Toyota Otis clash today with both teams out to bounce back from stinging setbacks in the 2009 PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup at Letran gym.

The Batang Pier are reeling from a 74-78 loss to the Pharex Generix while the Sparks dropped a 66-72 decision to the Hapee side, both last Thursday.

With a 7-1 card, Harbour seeks for an outright berth in the semis against Toyota in their 2 p.m. encounter.

With a 3-4 slate, the Sparks must sweep their last five games to keep their bid for an outright semis berth alive.

Others in the hunt are Magnolia Purewater (6-2) and Hapee Toothpaste (4-4).

Meanwhile, Ever Bilena and Smart Buddy-University of the Philippines start their showdown for the Women’s Philippine Basketball League (WPBL) crown at 4 p.m.

The Gandang Pinay have beaten the Buddies twice in the classification round, including the playoff for the No. 1 team in Group B and are installed the favorites to prevail in the best-of-three series.

“We beat them twice, so I’m sure they’re aching to get back on us. So I expect another close game. But we’ll be ready,” said Ever Bilena coach Patrick Aquino.

But Smart Buddy-UP has vowed to go all out to get back at Ever Bilena, hoping to sustain its 58-54 win over fancied Nutri-C-Ateneo to gain a shot at the crown.