Friday, January 09, 2009 SLR faces Norwood-less Rain or Shine
MANILA - Defending champion Sta. Lucia Realty and San Miguel Beer gun for semifinal berths anew as they face separate foes today in the second game of the best-of-three quarterfinal series of the 34th PBA-KFC Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Both Sta. Lucia and San Miguel Beer, which hurdled the opening game of the series via contrasting victories, need only to win today’s game to advance to the best-of-seven semifinal series.
The Beermen leaned on Dondon Hontiveros, Danny Seigle and Bonbon Custodio in the crucial stretch to nip sister team Barangay Ginebra, 78-77, while the Realtors mercilessly crushed Rain or Shine, 101-84, in the other game to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
The San Miguel Beer and Ginebra encounter is set at 5 p.m. and Sta. Lucia faces Rain or Shine at 7:30 p.m.
The winner between Sta. Lucia and Rain or Shine plays Alaska Aces in the first semis match, while whoever prevails between San Miguel Beer and Ginebra faces Talk ‘N Text in the other Final Four match.
Penalty
For the Realtors, it’s almost in the bag after Gabe Norwood was meted a heavy flagrant foul two penalty for throwing the ball at Sta. Lucia’s Nerbert Omolon.
Norwood’s action, which nearly caused a free-for-all, drew an automatic one-game suspension and his absence in today’s crucial game is too costly for Rain or Shine.
It’s not only that the 6-foot-6 former George Mason University averages 11.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 steals a game, he is also the leader of the Elasto Painters.
But even with the big advantage, coach Boyet Fernandez of the Realtors said they have still to work doubly hard.
“It’s not over yet. We don’t have to relax. We have to play even much better in our next game,” said coach Fernandez.
Character
Despite their 0-1 disadvantage, all is not yet lost for the Kings, who are expected to bounce back and live up to their “never-say-die character.
Besides, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico is the most experienced, being the fourth winningest coach in the league with eight titles (6 with SMB and 2 with Ginebra), while Siot Tanquingcen of San Miguel only has two.
With the win by the Beermen last Wednesday, both coaches Tanquingcen and Uichico are now tied at 13-13 in their head-to-head battle in the league. (FCC)
