WITH momentum on its side, Magnolia Purewater goes for a second straight win over five-time champion Harbour Centre as they clash in Game 3 of their title series today in the 2009 Philippine Basketball League PG Flex Linoleun Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

After figuring out how to beat the Batang Pier, the Wizards are determined to score a follow-up to their 84-80 Game 2 win that leveled their best-of-five series at 1-1.

Game time is at 2 p.m., with the Wizards hoping to dish out again the kind of discipline and defense that helped them stymie Harbour Centre’s vaunted running game.

It was the first win of the Wizards over the Batang Pier in four meetings in the season-opening tournament, but the effect of which is expected to give them an extra confidence going into today’s crucial match.

The series is being aired live on Solar Sports or watch it www.ustream.tv/channel/pbl-games-live.

But the Wizards will have to do it without forward Dylan Ababou, who suffered a broken nose after being hit by a wayward hand by PJ Barua in the third quarter.

If Harbour Centre coach Jorge Gallent and staff fail to come up with a brilliant defensive plan on Neil Raneses—Magnolia’s acknowledged heart and soul—the Wizards may well be on their way to a second straight win.

The 6’4” Raneses baffled his defenders with his vast repertoire of moves to finish with a game-high 25 points—a performance that more than made up for his awful showing in Game 1, which the Batang Pier won, 84-71.

In that game, Raneses was held to just two points on a horrible 1-of-8 shooting. But in Game 2, he was all over the court as he also tallied five rebounds, three blocks, two assists and the same number of steals.

But Magnolia coach Koy Banal remains on guard, knowing that Harbour is capable bouncing back.

“We have to prepare hard because I know Harbour will come back angrier and stronger in Game 3,” said Banal.

The character the Wizards showed down stretch, according Banal, was a testament to their newfound confidence.