Foreign teams to show real stuff today?

The foreign teams are expected to show improved games in their second outing here and could give hometown rivals a tough fight today.

It’s a must. Otherwise, the visiting American and Canadian cagers would be packing their bags for good, leaving to the local teams to dispute the crossover best-of-three semifinal berths in the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Conference.

Coaches Chot Reyes of Coca-Cola and Joel Banal of Talk n Text expect tough challenge from the Mail & More-backed US Pro-Am Selection and the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, aware the guest squads may have adjusted to the PBA brand of play following so-so outings Sunday.

The Thunderbirds take on the Tigers at 4:45 p.m. then the US Pro-Ams play the Phone Pals at 7:10 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum, hoping to stay in contention for the next round.

Another loss by the Americans and the Canadians pave the way for an all-PBA teams semifinals with Red Bull Barako, Talk n Text, Barangay Ginebra and Coca-Cola making up the cast.

For San Miguel Beer and Alaska Milk to keep their hope for the semis alive, they must pray for victories by the Americans and the Canadians today.

"May ilalabas pa iyan. Give them enough time to practice together, papahirapan niyan ang mga PBA teams," said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao of the US Pro-Ams whom they dealt a 101-91 defeat.

Meanwhile, the PBA is giving 50 percent discount to students who will watch today’s games at the upper box section of the Big Dome as part of the league’s back-to-school promo.