PBA: Coke defends hold on top spot vs surging Red Bull

April 29, 2008

With the All-Star week over, Red Bull and Coca-Cola figure in a tussle to determine which team is hottest in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference tonight at the Araneta Coliseum.

But while they are at it, other teams wallowing down the leaderboard continue their hunt for a better standing, if not for better imports to make them realize it.

Before the All-Star Week in Bacolod City, the Bulls and Tigers alternated in scoring big victories and have somehow managed to keep their good showing in the season-ending tournament to become everyone’s envy.

Now, they score to settle, each wanting to determine which really is the hottest team in the league when they clash at 7:20 p.m., and with the solo leadership at stake.

“We’re the hottest teams, and probably everything seems to go well for both of us (Red Bull and Coke). Importante sa amin ‘yun (victory). We will put ourselves in good position to have a chance at an outright semis berth. Tingin namin this is about the time we should be winning since the other teams are trying to get new imports. It’s another advantage for us since hindi na kailangang mag-adjust,” said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao in a telephone interview with the Daily Tribune yesterday.

Both the Bulls and the Tigers will enter the court rejoicing from previous victories. The Bulls defeated Alaska Milk in overtime, 100-97, in a road game in Laoag City last April 19, while the Tigers turned back Sta. Lucia Realty, 95-88 three days later.

A victory will propel the Bulls to the top of the 10-team field with a 5-1 win-loss slate. The Tigers are currently on top at 5-1.

Meanwhile, Purefoods is now keen on hiring the services of former San Miguel Beer import Chris Burgess to replace Darius Rice, a move aimed to strengthen its bid in the import-laced tournament.

Rice, in the words of Coach Ryan Gregorio, is a good scorer, and is in fact the highest scorer among the present crops of import, but is a “lemon” in defense. But he could not help in arresting the Giants’ alarming skid.

“It’s really hard to make a decision, especially so that we’re gonna use him (Darius Rice) on Friday,” said Gregorio. “As of now, we’re really evaluating his (Rice’s) performance. You see, he could score, but we want a lot more things from him other than that. We want rebounds, assists and more defense from him,” added Gregorio.

Burgess helped the Beermen make the semis in the 2004-05 Fiesta Conference before absorbing a serious ankle injury. San Miguel still went on to win the title with replacement import Adrian Custis.

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