Friday, February 01, 2008 4 teams start from scratch in PBA semis
MANILA -It’s now back to square one as Purefoods faces Red Bull, while Alaska takes on Sta. Lucia today in Game 3 of the best-of-seven semifinal series of the 33rd Smart-PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
All four teams are even at 1-1 apiece after the Barakos bounced back by defeating the Giants, 93-89, and the Realtors followed suit with an 86-77 win over the Aces last Wednesday.
The Aces and the Realtors meet anew in the first game at 4:50 p.m., followed by the Giants and the Barakos meeting set at 7:20 p.m.
Even Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao said the long series will go the full distance and vowed to make more adjustments to fit into the play of Purefoods, which took the opening match, 103-84, last Sunday.
“I have to see again how Purefoods makes its own adjustment in Game 3 and if necessary we will be back in the drawing board,” said Guiao.
The Giants’ 21 turnovers to the Barakos’ only 16 in the second game was one of the factors for the setback. Coach Ryan Gregorio said they have to limit their turnovers if they have to win the semis.
“We have so many turnovers and that is what we are going to correct in our next game,” said Gregorio, whose Giants out-rebounded the Barakos, 51-37.
In the other match, coach Boyet Fernandez of Sta. Lucia said they have to focus more on defense against the Aces, who defeated them, 107-94, in the first game also on Sunday.
“That’s the key to this semifinal match,” said Fernandez. (FCC)
