Friday, June 20, 2008 Tigers battles Magnolia today
MANILA - The Coca-Cola Tigers will go all-out to regain their lofty place in the standing when they face equally tough Magnolia Beverage today in the resumption of the 2008 Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Coca-Cola, which held the leadership for quiet a time, dropped to a share of second with Red Bull following a win by Air 21 Express over the Welcoat Dragons, 91-87, last Wednesday.
The loss by the Dragons at least virtually ended their hope of advancing to the next round for the fourth straight conference as they would be the only team to be eliminated at the end of the double-round eliminations.
But all the remaining nine teams have still a chance to make it even to either the semifinal and quarterfinal rounds if they can sweep their remaining three matches.
Tie
The Tigers seek for their 10th win when they collide against the Beverage Masters at 7:20 p.m., while Purefoods and Talk ‘N Text break their tie when they face each other in the first game at 4:50 p.m.
Both Purefoods and Talk ‘N Text have seven wins in 15 games along with Sta. Lucia and Ginebra.
A win by the Tigers will send them back to a share of the top spot with Air 21, while Magnolia, which is carrying an 8-7 slate will move back to a tie at sixth with the winner between the Giants and the Phone Pals.
So the loser between the Giants and the Phone Pals will risk losing the chance to gain outright quarterfinal slot and be relegated to the wildcard phase.
Only the top two teams will automatically advance to the semifinal round, while the third, fourth and fifth clinch automatic quarterfinal berth and the sixth, seventh, 8th and 9th placers will compose the wildcard phase to determine the last quarterfinalist. (FCC)
