INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?They may be armed with the twice-to-beat incentive, but Pharex B Complex and Cobra Energy Drink give little weight to their lofty billing as the top two seeds shoot for championship berths against separate opponents in the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup semifinals Saturday.

Pharex coach Aboy Castro expects another balanced effort when his Maroons, who topped the eliminations at 6-1, aim for a quick finish against the Cossack Blue Spirits at 1:45 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

?It?s good to be No. 1 in the semis, but we really want to be No. 1 two weeks from now (in the Finals),? said Castro.

The Ironmen, ranked second with a 5-2 record, take on the Excelroof 25ers in the other semifinal clash.

Coach Lawrence Chongson said his Ironmen have a lot to work on against the 25ers, who slipped to third due to the quotient system despite finishing with a similar 5-2 slate as Cobra.

?I?m still looking for the cohesion and chemistry,? said Chongson.

The Ironmen barely escaped the 25ers in their March 4 elimination match as Patrick Cabahug nailed a bail-out jumper in the dwindling seconds for a 66-65 squeaker.

Although the Ironmen flaunt varsity stars Paul Lee, Pari Llagas and Jai Reyes, Chongson said the 25ers boast a solid lineup led by the core of NCAA champion San Sebastian.