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Pharex, Excelroof start title series
(March 25, 2010)

Game Today
(The Arena, San Juan)
3 p.m. Pharex B-Complex vs Excelroof

Pharex B-Complex and Excelroof try to make a little history in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) when they clash in Game 1 of their titular showdown in the PG Flex Placenta Cup today at The Arena in San Juan.

Game time is set at 3 p.m. with both teams determined to win the season-opening title and become the first rookie squad to capture a championship in a long while.

And that makes the best-of-three title series more exciting.

The top-seeded Pharex Fighting Maroons advanced to the finals by downing Cossack Blue, 96-83, last Saturday while the third-ranked Excelroof 25ers beat the fancied Cobra Ironmen two in a row in their own Final Four series to clinch the other finals berth.

Though Pharex is on a roll, having won its last six games, including a 74-68 victory over Excelroof in the elims, odds are just about even in Game 1.

Excelroof coach Ato Agustin sees a tight and exciting series since both teams have almost the same depth and firepower. And character, too.

"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.

Pharex coach Aboy Castro likewise expressed confidence of their chances, saying: "We're truly blessed, we hope can sustain this run so that we can celebrate a week from now."

Believing they can translate their winning run to their advantage, Castro is hoping to end the series in two games.

"If we can sustain our intensity and play with passion and heart then we have a good chance of celebrating next week," said Castro.

Excelroof is made of the core of San Sebastian College team which Agustin steered to a stunning win over San Beda in the finals of NCAA. The SSC Stags also ruled the newly-revived CHED Games.

Despite the championship experiences of his players, Agustin said playing in the PBL finals is different from playing in the collegiate level.

"We have to make adjustments since this is a different level, but I'm confident my boys can deliver," said Agustin.

Expected to lead Excelroof are NCAA Finals MVP Jimbo Aquino, 6-foot-6 Ian Sangalang, Pamboy Raymundo and Calvin Abueva whose energy on the floor always gives joy to the crowd.

Agustin can also count on veteran Chester Taylor, Ronald Pascual and Gilbert Bulawan but they have to exert more effort in order to limit the production of Pharex's main man Vic Manuel.

While Castro always emphasizes team effort, it's obvious that the 6-foot-4 Manuel is the big reason why they're in the finals.

Quick and deadly with his jumpers, Manuel, a product of Phil. School of Business Administration, is the team's No. 1 scorer, averaging more than 20 points a game. He had a career-tying 27 points in the team's victory over Cossack Blue last Saturday.

Aside from Manuel, the 25ers must also take a close eye on Woody Co, Marlon Adolfo, Arvie Braganza, Ford Arao, Mark Anthony Lopez and Martin Reyes.

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