Licealiz, Oracle seek 2-0 leads

MANILA, Philippines – Oracle Residences and Licealiz try to move closer to a title showdown as they go for 2-0 leads over their respective rivals in the semifinal round of the PBL PG Flex Unity Cup at the San Juan gym today.

The Titans fashioned out an 83-70 win over the Cobra Energy Warriors in the opener of their best-of-three series and are fancied to repeat in their 4 p.m. encounter.

The Hair Doctors are also out to duplicate their 83-72 win over the Pharex Bidang Generix when they clash at 2 p.m.

Oracle and Licealiz have also beaten their respective rivals twice in the classification round.

But Oracle coach Glenn Capacio and Licealiz mentor Egay Macaraya remain cautious of their rivals.

“They have the tools to do it but we’ll be ready for their challenge,” said Capacio who drew splendid performances from veterans Rico Maierhofer, Benedict Fernandez and comebacking Jerwin Gaco.

The troika combined for more than half of the team’s output with Fernandez knocking in 12 of his 18 points in the fourth period that helped the Titans repel Cobra’s rally.

The 6-foot-6 Maierhofer, out to finish his amateur career on a high note, came through with a double-double performance of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Gaco was also impressive in his comeback game for the Mikee Romero-owned squad, firing 16 points and hauling down 11 rebounds.