Friday, May 30, 2008 Coke guns for eighth win today
MANILA - The race for the two automatic semifinal slots now appears to be a tight one among at least eight teams in the ongoing second round of the elimination in the 2008 Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference.
The Coca-Cola Tigers, who saw themselves back at the top of the standing following Red Bull’s 119-109 setback to Air 21 last Wednesday, will try to solidify their hold of the solo leadership when they meet tailender Welcoat at 7:20 p.m. in the first match today at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
Philippine Cup finalist Purefoods Giants, on the other hand, will try to move to a tie for third as they collide with the resurging Alaska Aces in the first match at 4:50 p.m.
With the Express’ victory over the Barakos, a triple tie at the second spot figured among Red Bull, Talk ‘N text and Air 21, who all have similar 7-5 slates.
With the way the team standing changed from time-to-time, even Sta. Lucia (6-5), Purefoods (5-5), Magnolia (5-6) and Alaska (5-6) still have a strong chance for the automatic semis berth.
Almost everybody remain in contention according to Coca-Cola coach Benky Favis.
“So that each game is very important, it’s like a playoff match,” he added.
Favis wants to reassert the Tigers supremacy over the Dragons, whom they defeated by only two points, 98-96, on April 9, thanks to Jason Dixon, who dominated the match with 36 points on top of 10 rebounds, four assists and a blocked shot.
Even as George Gervin Jr. is already out of the team, the 5-foot-9 Donald Copeland debuted with a fair 14 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals in their game against Red Bull on May 23 at the Ynares Center.
Copeland, who played with Seton Hall University in the US NCAA, is expected to have adjusted already with the Tigers in their game against the Dragons, who are also fielding two imports in Marquis Gainous and Corey Santee.
Gainous and Santee scored 23 and 22 points, respectively, in their first meeting with the Tigers.
In the other match, Purefoods is favored to repeat their 88-78 win over the Aces last May 10 in Calape, Bohol. (FCC)
