Panthers eye new import

It’s not over until it’s over.

With that in mind, Pop Cola made last-minute transactions yesterday, hoping it can check its skid versus Sta. Lucia Realty today to stay in the fight for the PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals.

The team management reactivated Nelson Asaytono from the injured list, signed up former Iloilo Megavoltz slotman Allan Gamboa and enlisted Oklahoma State product Bryatt Vann to replace import Sean Green.

Coach Chot Reyes said they face a tough task but promised to give their best shots in a bid to reach the quarterfinals of the season-ending tournament.

A full game behind Sta. Lucia with a 2-6 win-loss record, Pop Cola needs to beat the Realtors two in a row to salvage the last slot in the Final Eight. A win by the Panthers tonight forces a playoff between the two teams Wednesday.

Tanduay and Purefoods also end their stint in the elims today, clashing in the 4:15 p.m. curtain-raiser at the Araneta Coliseum with the Rhum Masters hoping to stay on a roll to gain a slot in the Magic Four.

Purefoods is assured of a spot in the Top Four because of a superior quotient. Tanduay hopes to avoid falling in a tie with Alaska as it will allow the Aces to salvage a twice-to-beat advantage also because of the quotient.

But the team which faces a grim prospect of outright elimination is Pop Cola.

"Medyo mahirap na para sa amin na makaabot sa quarters but the important thing is that we’re still alive and we certainly will try hard to make it there," said Reyes.

Pop Cola is trying its luck on Vann although the coaching staff has never seen him in action, only taking the recommendation of agent Mike Gonzales.

Vann has no NBA credentials as he showed his wares mostly out of the country after his stint at Oklahoma State in 1994.