Magnolia Beverage Masters Basketball Games Updates

Source: Journal Online
By: Zean Macamay
May 16, 2008

Games Today: (Araneta Coliseum)
4:50 p.m. – Air21 vs Coca-Cola
7:20 p.m. – Purefoods vs Magnolia

JUST the other night, Coca-Cola was trying to pull off one great comeback. Now, the Tigers will have to forget all about that failed attempt, and try to get back on their feet.

Deprived of a critical win Wednesday, Coca-Cola sees action for the second time in three days eyeing to post its seventh win when it clashes with Air21, even as Purefoods shoots for its first-ever back-to-back wins in the Smart PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

“The Tigers’ ability to get back from a defeat will be put to a test again,” said Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis. “This time, it’s going to be tougher since we only have one day to bounce back after a loss. We should put aside what happened in our last basketball game and focus on Air21.”

Doing so looks easy, but in reality, it may be difficult. The Tigers were on the brink of posting perhaps one of the PBA’s greatest comebacks when they wiped out a 30-point, 56-26 deficit against Alaska. They even led, 84-82 in the fourth quarter but lost steam against a team that’s always been known to play tough in the stretch.

In the end, Coca-Cola went down 99-91, its only third defeat in nine basketball games but still crucial since it denied the Tigers a share of the lead with Red Bull (7-2, win-loss) at the close of the first round eliminations.

The Tigers, however, will have the chance to get back on the winning track and break away from a tie with idle Talk ‘N Text. But they would have to do it against a ball club Favis is always wary off.

“We always struggle when we play Air21,” said Favis.

Favis has every reason to feel like that. The Express were one of only three ball clubs that have so far dealt them a defeat, a 102-95 win in the first round last April 13. Although in the upper half of the standings, Coca-Cola couldn’t afford to lose this one at a time when the race for two outright semifinals berths has fiercely began.

“Every win now counts,” said Favis.

With a 4-4 record, the Express are tied with Magnolia, which plays Purefoods in the main 7:20 p.m. basketball game. Like the Tigers, they are seeking to rebound from a defeat after absorbing a 113-100 loss to Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty last May 11.

While it may be in the lower half of the standings, Purefoods has started to feel confident again after scoring a tough win over the defending champion Aces in Bohol last May 10.

Backstopped with a new import in 7-foot-1 Moroccan Reda Rhalimi, the Giants played like a team of old and beat the Aces 88-78, a victory coach Ryan Gregorio said was a sign of how their defense has improved a lot.

“We have regained our confidence. We have tremendously improved on our defense. Hopefully, we gain our first winning streak this conference,” said Gregorio.

In their last six basketball games prior to the outing against Alaska, the Giants have allowed opponents to score at an average of 106 points.

But Rhalimi’s entry changed all that. He wasn’t necessarily an explosive scorer the way Darius Rice was, but made up for that with defense. In the win against the Aces, he had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and blocked five shots.

Rhalimi could end up as the perfect fit for the Giants, who don’t really need an trigger-happy import since they have James Yap and Kerby Raymundo to take care of the scoring load.

“Rhalimi answered our problems in rebounding and interior defense,” said Gregorio.

This is the second time that the Giants will play the Beverage Masters, seeking a sweep after Rice led them to victory in the first round.

But Magnolia is aching to get back and move up to fifth spot in the leaderboard.

“Every basketball game is crucial at this stage,” said Magnolia coach Siot Tanquingcen. “Purefoods is a dangerous team, they can take the basketball game away from you at any point of the basketball game.”