Tan Holdings seek back-to-back vs. Toyota

Finally getting its act together in the post season with the return of shot blocking and rebounding menace Colin Thompson, defending champion Tan Holdings Corp. seeks its second straight Mobil Oil Invitational Basketball Tournament title this Saturday when it tangles with Microl/Toyota beginning 5:30pm at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Coach Ambet Flores says he expects nothing less than to retain the championship for the Saipan-based conglomerate.

“We’ve not gone this far and fought back from the brink of elimination only to lose our crown. The team is starting to mesh offensively and with Colin [Thompson] back in harness, we will be difficult to beat,” he said.

After a miserable first round that saw the proud and mighty quintet limp to a 4-3 record, THC saw its season revitalized with the 6-foot-5 Thompson back in its line-up.

Coach Flores’ team ambushed first round third-placer Hyatt Regency in the opening round before shocking pennant winner and sister team Dai-ichi Hotel in the second do-or-die game in the playoffs.

“Colin makes up for our lapses on the hard court. In the game against Dai-ichi he was a stone wall at the defensive end and is the main reason for us getting this far,” he said.

In that particular encounter with Dai-ichi, Thompson rejected bull-strong Tom Alegre thrice in one play, according to Flores. “That more or less sums up his contribution to the team, he can dominate just with his defense.”

Indeed with Thompson inside, THC’s offensive players like Jerry Zamora, Bogs Dayrit and Ronald Delos Reyes have more freedom to pop the outside jumper and that strategy has spelled success for the squad.

Asked about their chances in retaining the 2001 title, Flores was silent for a while before answering: “We have a pretty good chance of going all the way, probably we have a 70 percent chance of winning it all.”

Flores has also asked employees of THC to storm the Ada Gymnasium this Saturday and show their all-out support for the team and the company.

“More than ever, we need the support of our co-employees in the championship match,” he said.

For his part, Microl/Toyota coach Abner Venus is savoring their underdog status and is keeping himself mum on the strategy he would employ to upend the defending champs.

“Just wait and see. We might be the weaker team on paper but come Saturday expect my team to give it all,” he said.

Venus said his team has been practicing in earnest since upending Aqua Resort Club in last week’s knockout game. He said Toyota would have a surprise against Thompson and Co. come game time.

Aside from regular season MVP Jorge De Guzman, Venus has streaky guards Jerome Catalla and John Capuyo as well as three-point specialist Rodney Catalla to turn to in offense.