Friday, October 10, 2008 Giants face Beermen in Philippine Cup
MANILA - Last year’s runnerup Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants and Rain or Shine try to remain on top when they face separate foes today in the resumption of the 34th KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Fresh from their respecitive opening victories, the Elasto Painters meet Red Bull in the first game at 5 p.m., while the Giants collide against sister team San Miguel Beer in the second match at 7:30 p.m.
The Purefoods Giants, who defeated Red Bull, 77-73, last Wednesday, is also aiming for a repeat of their eight straight wins last year that enabled them to notch the first automatic semifinal slot.
Coach Ryan Gregorio the other day reminded his players, led by James Yap, to regain their high level of confidence in their effort to remain on top of the standing.
Chance
“This is a chance for me to tell my players to be always in the high level of confidence,” said Gregorio, who noted James Yap’s low eight-point output against the Barakos.
Aside from the 2006 MVP Yap, Gregorio will also lean on Kerby Raymundo and Enrico Villanueva, Jun Peter Simon, Chico Lañete, Roger Yap, newly-acquired Topex Robinson and rookies Beau Belga and Jonathan Fernandez.
They will be pitted against Beermen Mike Cortez, Dorian Pena, Dondon Hontiveros, Marc Pingres, Jay Washington, Mick Pennisi and Danny Seigle, who are trying to bounce back after a heartbreaking 84-85 setback to Alaska last Sunday.
In the other match, the Elasto Painters, riding high on their 120-102 rout over Air 21 also Sunday, hope to make it two in a row, a feat that may bring them closer to their four-win finish in the recent Fiesta Conference.
Coach Caloy Garcia will again rely on his bunch of rookies led by Solomon Mercado, Tyronne Tang and top pick Gabe Norwood in their quest for their second straight win.
All out to oppose them are Celino Cruz, Warren Ybanez, Cyrus Baguio, Richie Alvarez, Carlo Sharma, Michael Hrabak and rookies Jeffrey Chan and Larry Rodriguez of Red Bull. (FCC)
