Friday, November 21, 2008 Slumping Tigers battle Purefoods Giants
MANILA - The Coca-Cola Tigers try to get away from the cellar when they face last year’s runnerup Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants today in the 34th KFC-Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Both the Tigers and the Giants, who are former All-Filipino champions, face each other at 5 p.m., while Red Bull meets Air 21 in the nightcap at 7:30 p.m.
This will be the second encounter between 2002 titlist Tigers and 2006 champion Giants in the double-round elimination of the conference with coach Kenneth Duremdes’ team escaping a close 103-102 win via double ovetime last Oct. 15.
Coca-Cola, which is bearing 3-7 slate, now needs a win very badly if it has to catch up with Alaska (8-3) and San Miguel Beer (7-4) in the race for the two automatic semifinal slots.
With only at least eight matches left before the end of the eliminations, the race for the automatic berths both in the semis and quarterfinals are getting stiffer.
The conference format will have the top two teams after the elims advancing to the best-of-seven semis. (FCC)
