Lookin' to bounce back

People's Journal
October 27, 2007

Games today
(Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – Magnolia vs Coca-Cola
6:50 p.m. – Sta. Lucia vs Talk ‘N Text

STILL reeling from a stinging loss two nights ago, Magnolia Beverage hopes to get back on the winning ways at the expense of Coca-Cola which it takes today in the Smart-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Beverage Masters face the Tigers at 4:30 p.m., in the first game of a Sunday doubleheader that has Talk ‘N Text and Sta. Lucia battling in the 6:50 p.m. featured match.

Magnolia is going into the game fresh from a 93-90 upset courtesy of Purefoods, a loss that denied the powerhouse team a grip of the solo lead.

Their first setback in three outings left the Beverage Masters sharing second place with the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals.

The Pals themselves fell prey to the Giants, 112-97, in the tournament’s first road game this season in Dumaguete City.

But showing their will to bounce back, the Pals used the loss as the driving force in their 111-102 drubbing of defending champion Barangay Ginebra Kings in their next outing.

“Sinalaula kami ng Purefoods. We’re humiliated,” admitted Talk `N Text coach Derrick Pumaren. “The days that followed, we were just talking about the importance of bouncing back. We used the loss as a motivational tool and we came out with boundless energy, intensity and effort.”

That’s what the Beverage Masters exactly have to do if they have to get past the Coca-Cola Tigers and avoid a second straight loss.

The Tigers have an even 1-1 card, bunched together with four other teams for third place.

Their standings could have been even better had they not lost steam in the endgame of a 94-98 loss to the Alaska Aces Friday night.

Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia (0-2) is eyeing to break into the win column against Talk ‘N Text after losing its first two games against Purefoods and Magnolia.

The encounter with the Phone Pals will have an interesting match up between Realtor rookie guard Ryan Reyes and veteran and national team playmaker Jimmy Alapag.

Reyes, picked no. 3 overall by Sta. Lucia in the last Rookie Draft, has yet to play his breakthrough game in the league.