Magnolia Beverage Masters Basketball Games Updates

COCA-COLA, TALK N TEXT SEEK SHARE OF 1ST : But both expect no cakewalk in Friday twinbill

Magnolia Beverage Masters will be up against the towering frontliners of the Coca-Cola Tigers lead by monster import Jason Dixon and Fil-Tongan Asi Taulava.

The basketball team will be put to another test as it will come into the game less their main offensive weapon in Danny Seigle. Will the remaining local screw respond to the challenge? That question will be answered after this game.

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COCA-COLA, TALK N TEXT SEEK SHARE OF 1ST : But both expect no cakewalk in Friday twinbill

Source: PBA.ph
Thursday, 08 May 2008

They may be coming from opposite directions, but Coca-Cola and Talk and Text have something in common when the take the court Friday night.

For obvious reasons, the two teams have trained their sights at W number six that would allow them to stay abreast with Red Bull on top of the leader board and bolster their bid for outright semifinal berths in the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference.

Chot Reyes, who took over the reins from Derrick Pumaren at the end of the Philippine Cup, said he and his players are still in the process of getting to know each other but the team's impressive start in the season-ending conference seems to belie that.

The Phone Pals have won four of six ballgames highlighted by a three ballgame winning streak that earned them the distinction as the league's hottest team.

With a pair of hardworking and unselfish imports and a dependable cast, Coca-Cola managed to squeeze itself in the company of the league's early leaders. But the Tigers looked sluggish after the All-Star break and absorbed a 75-82 beating from Red Bull last Wednesday that snapped a two ballgame run.

But the Tigers will be recharged after a week-long break when they march onto the floor for their 4:50 p.m. date with the Magnolia Beverage Masters at the Araneta Coliseum as they attempt to regain lost ground.

Gee Gervin and Jason Dixon are complementing each other so well and if Asi Taulava, Nic Belasco and Ronjay Buenafe get their ballgame going, the Tigers should be in good stead.

Certainly, Magnolia Beverage Masters are no pushover. With cast that includes Dondon Hontiveros, Danny Ildefonso, Mike Cortez, Mark Pingris and Lordy Tugade, the team is a certified title contender.

The Magnolia Beverage Masters are currently in the middle of the pack with a 4-3 record that it shares with Sta. Lucia and Air21.

While the Coca-Cola Tigers – Magnolia Beverage Masters duel promises to be another thrilling encounter that’s too close to call, the Phone Pals are favored over the Welcoat Dragons in the scheduled 7:20 p.m. showdown.

But Reyes cautioned that the Dragons are a dangerous team.

"Their two victories are against elite teams and three of their five losses could have been won ballgames. So we can't take Welcoat for granted. We have to stay focused and do the things that we have to do," Reyes said.

Although he is pleased with their showing so far, Reyes emphasized that it's the team's growth and not the position that matters to him at this point in time.

Against the Dragons he said: "We'll come to the ballgame and see how much we've grown over the season." (DBC)