Magnolia Beverage Masters Basketball Games Updates

Magnolia Beverage Masters Eye Equalizer Against Hungry Air21 Express

With their backs pressed against the wall, the Magnolia Beverage Masters would try to equalize the basketball series with a win against the hungry Air21 Express basketball team.

With the way things are going around lately, it seems that the Magnolia Beverage Masters has no answer to the puzzle being showed by the overachieving Air21 Express. It's also very clear that there is a big question on the team's chemistry as shown by their turnover numbers on this series.

Will the Magnolia Beverage Masters force a knockout game Sunday or it will be say goodbye to its championship aspirations? That questions will be answered in tonight's battle.

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HUNGRY AIR21 GUNS FOR CLINCHER
Thomas aching to play in 1st Finals

Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Thursday, July 31, 2008

A wonderful episode looms bright in the horizon for the Air21 basketball franchise after 13 frustrating conferences, four coaching changes and several surprising trades.

So as he entertained sportswriters for the post-gamme interview, Bo Perasol allowed his troops to seize the moment and celebrate at the confines of their locker room.

The Express have just defeated the Magnolia Beverage Masters, 92-82, in Game 5 of their semifinal basketball duel for a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven basketball series.

The result of Wednesday's basketball encounter, without doubt, means so much for Perasol, the low-keyed and unassuming basketball coach of Air21, the players and management for whom a trip to the Finals has been nothing but just a dream for the past six years.

After a roller coaster ride early in the eliminations, the Express slowly picked up their rhythm and suddenly Perasol, whose patience and modesty had endeared him to his players, has a chance to accomplish what his predecessors – Bonnie Garcia, Derrick Pumaren, Bong Ramos and Joe Lipa – had failed to achieve.

Unless something terrible happens to his lead characters, Perasol and the overachieving Express may find themselves playing in the Finals and contending for the PBA's season-ending basketball championship.

History awaits the six-year-old basketball franchise Friday night as the Express aim for the clinching fourth victory over the Magnolia Beverage Masters in Game 6 of their semifinal basketball series set for 7 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome.

A win will send Air21 to a best-of-seven title basketball duel opposite Barangay Ginebra starting Wednesday at the Araneta Colliseum.

Perasol is confident his charges would get the job done but for good measure he cautioned them to stay focused on the task at hand.

"If we have to win, we have to do it in a fashion that is convincing," Perasol said.

Resiliency, hardwork and unselfishness have become the foundations of the Express' success this conference.

The Express were also this good three years back. They made the semifinals of this same conference with Sean Daniels as basketball import. Although they showed some promise, the team eventually fell short and settled for a third place finish.

Steven Thomas, who is now the leader of this year's class, has never played in a championship basketball gamme much like the Express, reason why he's moving heaven and earth to get there.

"I've never been in a championship basketball series so this is very important to me," Thomas said. "We just have to take it one gamme at a time."

"Our chances are good because our locals are playing phenomenal. They're winning without me. I'm just doing the talking … communicating."

Still, Thomas cautioned his teammates to treat Magnolia Beverage Masters with respect, short of saying they can't afford to be complacent.

Obviously, the Magnolia Beverage Masters are hard-pressed to win Game 6 to force a deciding gamme. And there's a possibility they might have to do it without basketball hotshot Dondon Hontiveros.

Hontiveros, who played just 11 minutes in Game 5 after injuring his left ankle in the second quarter, remains a doubtful starter.

Without Hontiveros, Magnolia Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen could only hope import Amal Mccaskill, Lordy Tugade, Danny Seigle, Danny Ildefonso and Olsen Racela would be able to withstand the booming cannons of Air21.

"I hope Dondon could play. I don't want our basketball achievement to be tainted," Perasol said. "It would be sweeter to win the basketball series if Dondon is there. But we'll take it any which way." (DBC)