Rookie squads Pharex, Excelroof clash for PBL crown

The team which plays more cohesively will be known on Thursday when rookie squads Pharex B Complex and Excelroof begin their best-of-three title showdown in the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at The Arena in San Juan City. Pharex is composed mostly of players from the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons while Excelroof is made up cagers from 85th NCAA champion San Sebastian Golden Stags.

Both the Fighting Maroons and the 25ers are aiming to make history by becoming the first rookie team to capture the championship. Pharex, which topped the elimination round to book the twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals, scored a 96-83 win over Cossack Blue to grab the first finals seat. The 25ers, meanwhile, finished third after the elimination and had to overhaul Cobra Energy Drink’s twice-to-beat semis edge in order to earn the right of facing Pharex in the finals. Excelroof scored consecutive wins over Cobra, 89-81 and 81-75. Game time is at 3 pm with the winner moving closer of claiming the crown on Saturday. The Aboy Castro-coached Pharex crew is riding on a six-game winning streak, one of which is a 74-68 triumph over Renato Agustin’s 25ers to earn the top seeding in the single round elimination. "We're truly blessed and we hope can sustain this run so that we can celebrate a week from now. If we can sustain our intensity and play with passion and heart then we have a good chance of celebrating next week." But Castro said their elimination round win does not guarantee a Game 1 victory especially on what the 25ers did against the talented and veteran-filled Ironmen. "They are definitely no pushovers. They have won two collegiate titles (NCAA and CHED Games) and has the championship experience," said Castro. "I really expect this series to be tough. It will also be a defensive series with low scores coming from both teams. But for us to win, we must dominate the boards, " Castro added. Vic Manuel, a rookie who is a cinch to win the best player of the conference award for his consistency, will be there to provide his team with energy. Veterans Woody Co, Ford Arao, Nestor David, Mark Lopez and JR Tecson will give Manuel the needed support in their bid for a seventh straight win and one step closer of claiming the season-opening crown. Agustin, meanwhile, said that he expects an interesting finals series since he has the players that can match up well with the Fighting Maroons. "It's going to be a tight and thrilling contest. We have the players who can provide excitement and fierce competition to Pharex," said Agustin, who is hoping to win his third title as a coach. Jimbo Aquino, Calvin Abueva, Ronald Pascual, Ian Sangalang and John Raymundo are Agustin’s players with the Stags. They will be backed by Chester Taylor and Gilbert Bulawan, two scrappy players who can deliver the points or provide defense for the 25ers. Despite the championship experience, Agustin said the PBL finals is different from the collegiate ranks. "We have to make adjustments since this is a different level, but I'm confident my boys can deliver." – GMANews.TV