Panthers, Beermen shoot for 2nd win

Pop Cola and San Miguel Beer seem to have all the reason now to loosen up a little, relax and enjoy while Sta. Lucia Realty and Shell should be more apprehensive and stay focused on the game.

Forget the rankings.

The lower-seeded Panthers and Beermen bucked the odds Friday and will likely enjoy the decisive psychological edge, not only the momentum, when they go for a two-game-to-nil lead versus the Realtors and the Turbo Chargers in their respective best-of-five duels in the PBA Governors Cup Final Four at the Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Consider Pop Cola’s feat Friday – a 76-75 decision over Sta. Lucia hacked out even with Johnny Abarrientos still reporting in civvies and spending the night cheering on the bench.

Then, consider Dan Seigle in the SMB-Shell tiff. Though playing only minimal time coming from sick bay, the former Wagner University hitman made his presence felt and helped the Beermen carve out an 89-84 victory.

Now, the bad news for Sta. Lucia and Shell is that Abarrientos may finally return to action while Seigle may get more playing time from coach Jong Uichico.

"Johnny is small but he’s so talented that my whole team has to step up to make up for his absence," said Pop Cola coach Chot Reyes of his prized pointguard, who has missed three games thus far because of a bruised knee.

"Actually, Danny S. is not yet in top shape. Wala sa rhytmn ang laro. But his mere presence pumped up his teammates," said Uichico of his marquee Fil-Am forward, who’s back after playing only two games in the eliminations.

Seigle saw action for 21 minutes Friday, going 2-of-2 from the three-point area, 2-of-5 from the two-point zone and 6-of-7 from the stripe for 16 points on top of three rebounds against one turnover.

"We decided to use him only on the eve of the match. With only four practice days with us, ang balak ko i-break-in lang siya. What happened was that I played him about five minutes more than what I intended to do," said Uichico. "We’re waiting for possible reaction of his injury. So far, wala naman."

But despite the Game One win, Uichico is still wary of the Turbo Chargers. He said: "Kita mo naman, ang ganda na ng inilaro namin, pero pinahirapan pa rin kami ng Shell although they had little time to prepare for us."