|
By Frank Calapre, Correspondent
ODDS are about even as five-peat seeking Harbour
Centre and Hapee Toothpaste start their respective quest for the
crown in the first game of their best-of-five championship series
Wednesday at the Batangas City Sports Complex.
The Complete Protectors overcame the challenge
of Burger King via a 3-1 score in the best-of-5 semifinals while the
Batang Pier surged to a sweet 3-0 sweep over San Mig Coffee in the
other semis match.
Both coaches Jorge Gallent of Batang Pier and
Louie Alas of the Complete Protectors believe they have equal
chances when they meet for the second straight finals showdown this
season.
“Hapee is a strong team and consistent at
second throughout the conference. We beat them in the first round of
the elims, but they beat us also in the second round. I think we
have an even chances,” said Gallent.
Alas has something to settle with Gallent, who
defeated his Toyota-Otis twice in the finals—first in the 2006
Challenge Cup and second in the 2006 Chairman’s Cup.
“There’s a lot of expectations. And that was
what I said before that if ever I would go back in the PBL, I would
prefer to be in the team that can reach the finals,” said Alas.
Incidentally, Gallent and Alas are teammates in
the A&W squad in the PBL in the late ’80s.
Gallent has the edge in their one-on-one duel as
coaches in the league although Alas has more experience having
handled professional teams in the PBA and the defunct MBA. Alas, who
guided the Manila Stars to an MBA title, also bagged multiple
championships with the Letran Knights in the NCAA.
Former George Mason University standout Gabe
Norwood of the Complete Protectors feels they have the ability to
unseat the Batang Pier from the championship throne.
“We have a strong chance and our preparations
this time is different from last conference. Now, we are more than
ready and we will face Harbour with strong determination,” said
Norwood, the frontrunner in the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable
Player race.
|
