Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Air21 faces Magnolia today
MANILA - Solo Leader Air 21 Express tries to move a step closer to clinching the first automatic semifinal slot when it goes up against an equally-tough Magnolia Beverage today in the resumption of the 2008 Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Express, bearing a 10-6 slate, need only to win their last two matches to assure themselves of a semifinal slot—something the team will achieve for the first time since joining the league in 2002.
“It’s a tall order because anything can still happen. So we have to win against Magnolia tomorrow, which I think is possible because we won over them in our first encounter this conference,” said Air 21 coach Bo Perasol.
The Express will simply ride on their 96-90 triumph over Magnolia in the first round of the elimination phase on May 21 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. “We will use the same strategy that made us won in that match,” Perasol said.
Perasol added that momentum is on their side as the whole team is in high spirits following back-to-back victories first against Talk ‘N Text last June 13 and second over Welcoat on June 18.
Meanwhile, in the curtain raiser, the Red Bull Barakos are almost assured of their 10th win when they collide against tailender Welcoat. Welcoat is already out of contention whatever the outcome in their 4:50 p.m. match-up today. (FCC)
