Generix make last-ditch bid for quarterfinals

Pharex tries to keep its slim quarterfinal holes alive as it clashes with semifinalist Magnolia Purewater today in the 2009 PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup at the Guadalupe Viejo Sports Complex in Makati.

The Generix, with only two wins against seven losses, need to sweep their last three games to gain a crack at the last quarterfinal berth, including against the Wizards at 4 p.m.

Pharex hopes to dish out the form they showed in toppling Hapee Toothpaste, 88-76, last Dec. 20 to stay in the hunt.

Meanwhile, Harbour Centre tries to repeat over Bacchus in their 4 p.m. encounter with the Batang Pier fancied over the Energy Warriors to notch their 10th win in 11 games.

The Batang Pier trampled the Energy Warriors in the first round, 82-60, but coach Jorge Gallent isn’t going to take their rivals lightly.

“We have to sustain our momentum going into the semis so we can’t relax at this moment,” said Gallent. “Besides, the Warriors are playing as a unit now.”

Bacchus is actually coming off a three-win streak, including a 78-63 victory over Toyota Otis, as the Energy Warriors improved their card to 5-5.

Reed Juntilla is tipped to lead Harbour Centre anew along with Rico Maierhofer, Jerwin Gaco and Mark Barroca.

Bacchus coach Lawrence Chongson, the new coach of the University of the East Warriors in the next UAAP season, will pin his hopes on the duo Patrick Cabahug and Paul Lee who combined for 31 points, against Toyota.

The Wizards beat the Generix in overtime in the first round, 88-80, but the Koy Banal-mentored squad has dropped its last two games.

Magnolia, however, is assured of the other semis slot regardless of the outcome of its last two games with a superior quotient over Bacchus, the only other team with a chance to finish with a 7-5 card.