| | Ginebra meets Air21 in another crucial tiff |
| Thursday, 04 December 2008 | Alaska and Coca-Cola both return from a long rest clashing with each other Friday in a crucial rematch in the 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup elimination phase at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces and the Tigers are wary of one another in the contest preceding an equally important match pitting the Barangay Ginebra Kings and the Air21 Express.
“We expect Coke to play with a little desperation, making them very dangerous,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone of the Tigers aching to make a push entering the homestretch of the elims.
The 5 p.m. contest marks the first time Cone will be engaged in a battle of wits with his former player Kenneth Duremdes.
The Aces topped the Tigers, 69-62, in their previous tiff when Coca-Cola was still under coach Binky Favis. Now, the Tigers are under Duremdes, who is familiar with Cone’s schemes, having played for Alaska from 1997 up to 2002.
“I like our chances although we have a tough job to do. We have to contain Willie Miller and establish our inside game,” said Duremdes.
Cone and his troops are aching for redemption after suffering an 80-92 defeat to Sta. Lucia last Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. The Realtors pulled through despite a career-low output of two points from main man Kelly Williams.
Alaska, nonetheless, has stayed two games clear of San Miguel as the Beermen fell in defeat to the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, 80-85, in their showdown in Singapore Sunday. The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters drew level with the Beermen Wednesday on their 80-79 squeaker over the Realtors.
With a 9-4 win-loss record, the Aces are two games away of a guaranteed slot in the Magic Five. Being the front-runners, the Aces naturally are looking to land at no less than the top, though.
Duremdes said their immediate goal is to get on track, having been very inconsistent in their games in the tourney.
The Tigers are four games off the pace at 5-8.
Jockeying for position in the middle of the pack are Barangay Ginebra at 7-6 and Air21 at 6-7.
“We’re just hoping to win as many games as we could while awaiting the return of our injured players (Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa). What’s good is that everybody’s contributing in their own little way,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
The Kings gained a share of fourth place with the Phone Pals Wednesday as they stretched their streak to four games on an 83-76 walloping of Red Bull.
The Express, on the other hand, have moved down in the lower half of the chart following back-to-back losses to the Beermen and the Purefoods TJ Giants.
“We just want to get back to winning again. We need to take to heart the ‘whatever it takes’ mentality,” said Air21 coach Bo Perasol. (NC) | |
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