Beermen eye wildcard phase versus Tigers

Reigning champion San Miguel Beer takes the first of two cracks at the San Mig Coffee PBA Fiesta Cup wildcard plays when it clashes with Coca-Cola in their survival playoff at the Astrodome tonight.

The tail-ender in the double-round classifications, the Tigers must beat the Beermen two in a row — tonight and tomorrow — to steal the last slot in the wildcard plays and get a shot at a quarterfinals seat against the Air21 Express.

The lone game is set at 7 p.m. with another big crowd expected in the Pasay venue after it was virtually filled to the rafters during the playoff matches marking the resumption of the tourney Wednesday.

Facing the prospect of early elimination in the tourney, which they won over the Talk n Text Phone Pals last year, San Miguel coach Jong Uichico opted to reactivate Kwan Johnson, replacing Kevin Freeman with whom the Beermen went 0-2 in the homestretch of the classifications.

The Beermen won their last five games with Johnson before enlisting Freeman.

Johnson could well be out to prove himself again while Coca-Cola counterpart Omar Thomas is likely to make up for an uncalled for act resulting to his suspension in their last game.

Thomas, however, must work hard as Johnny Abarrientos is still sidelined by a knee injury while Ali Peek is a doubtful starter with a swollen foot. Peek rejoined the team in practice only yesterday with the Tigers walking through their plays.

But Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis is hopeful they can find ways to sneak into the next round although their backs are against the wall.

"Actually, I’m excited with the game. I’m excited to see how the boys fight against all odds. I’m not losing hope because this team just keep on fighting," said Favis.

Favis thought losing by a hairline without an import against Red Bull the last time out speaks well of their chance to upset the Beermen.

"We’ll be there fighting and we’ll see," said Favis, whose team is in danger of finishing at the bottom of the standings for the second straight conference.

For the record, since the twice-to-beat format was first used in the league in the 1996 Governors Cup, only six out of 56 teams at a disadvantaged position managed to defy the odds.

The two teams split their two games in the classifications with the Tigers winning their first match on Oct. 12, 79-77, on a tip-in at the buzzer by Alex Carcamo - the team’s original import. San Miguel then was still reinforced by Rico Hill.

The Beermen got back at the Tigers, 90-76, on Dec. 9 with both teams backed by their present imports.

Winner in the survival playoff advances to the best-of-three wildcard plays against Air21.

With their present situation, the Tigers need to win a total of 15 games while the Beermen 14 to win the championship. The two teams logged only six wins each in 18 games in the classifications.