Friday, October 26, 2007 Sister squads dispute lead in Philippine Cup
MANILA - Sister teams and co-leader Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants and Magnolia Beverage Masters part ways today as they collide in the feature match of a doubleheader of the 33 rd Smart-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Tender Juicy Giants and the Beverage Masters, who are carrying identical 2-0 slates, face each other at 7:20 p.m.
The Coca-Cola Tigers, bearing a 1-0 card, meet the Alaska Aces in the opening match at 4:35 p.m.
It’s expected to be a down-the wire battle between the Beverage Masters and the Tender Juicy Giants, the only team so far that defeated the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals, 112-97, on Oct. 20 in Dumaguete City.
Even Phone Pals coach Derek Pumaren admitted that it was the sub-par performance of his squad that enabled the Tender Juicy Giants to beat them in the first out-of-town game of the season.
Big factor
Kerby Raymundo was hot against the Phone Pals, firing 25 points and pulling down 15 rebounds, while James Yap, the 2005 MVP, finished with 24 points, including 4 of 8 attempts from the three-point arc.
Marc Pingres and Roger Yap were also a big factor for the Tender Juicy Giants as they combined for 25 points and 22 rebounds.
Aside from the four key players, coach Ryan Gregorio still have Rommel Adducul, who only had 4 points and made 5 rebounds in their 96-89 win against Sta. Lucia on Oct. 17. (FCC)
