Games Saturday (Ynares Sports Arena)
1:45 p.m. — Pharex B-Complex vs Cossack Blue
3:45 p.m. — Cobra Energy Drink vs Excelroof

Pharex B-Complex and Cobra Energy Drink worked doubly hard to get the top two spots after the elimination round. Now they will use their twice-to-beat advantage to arrange a title showdown in the Philippine Basketball League.

The Fighting Maroons and Ironmen try to finish off their respective foes when the league's semifinal action of the 2010 PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup unfolds this Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

After finishing on top with a surprising 6-1 record, Pharex will battle No. 4 seed Cossack Blue in the first game at 1:45 p.m. while Cobra meets dangerous Excelroof with both teams toting similar 5-2 records two hours later.

Through the concerted efforts of former Philippine School of Business Administration star Vic Manuel, Woody Co, Arvie Braganza, and Marlon Adolfo, the Fighting Maroons surpassed the low expectations of many to claim the top spot.

And the Pascual Laboratories-owned franchise hopes to repeat their masterful 96-66 win over the Spirits in the elims to advance to the finals which will be a best-of-three affair.

“We want to play well in this point of the tournament, especially in the semis and get to the finals right away,” said Pharex-B coach Aboy Castro, whose squad gained the No. 1 seed after pulling off a 74-68 win over Excelroof last Tuesday for its fifth straight win.

Despite their easy win in the elims, the Fighting Maroons expect a strong challenge from the Spirits this time.

Meanwhile, Cobra, the prohibitive title favorite prior to the start of the conference, overcame a mid-conference slump to nail the second semifinal incentive after beating Fern-C, 88-82, last Thursday.

The Ironmen gained the tiebreaker over the 25ers after the former won 66-65 last March 4 on an awkward runner by Patrick Cabahug in the dying seconds of that contest.

But despite having the manpower advantage, Cobra coach Lawrence Chongson is still wary of the Excelroof five, composed mostly of players from the NCAA champion San Sebastian Stags.

“They have the advantage in terms of chemistry because they got seven or eight players from San Sebastian. Kami medyo nahihirapan in terms of cohesion but we hope to get the finals berth,” said Chongson.

Cobra will also rely on Paul Lee, Pari Llagas, and point guard Jai Reyes while Jimbo Aquino, Ian Sangalang, and Calvin Abueva will lead the 25ers’ charge.