Red Bull tries to break out of a three-way logjam for first as it collides with Sta. Lucia today even as crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra guns for a second straight win against Air21 in the Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Bulls dropped a 95-102 loss to the Magnolia Beverage Masters in an out-of-town game in Lipa City, Batangas last Saturday, enabling the Talk n Text Pals and the Coca-Cola Tigers to gain a piece of the lead at 5-2.
Against Sta. Lucia, however, Red Bull will be taking on a team riding the momentum of an emphatic 111-97 win over the Welcoat Dragons last Sunday. With a 4-2 card, the Philippine Cup champions are also going flat out to beat the Bulls in their 4:50 p.m. encounter and catch the Pals and the Tigers at the helm.
But focus will not be on the frontrunners but on the tailenders as the Kings go for their second straight win against the Air21 Express in the 7:20 p.m. main dish.
After losing their first five games in alarming fashions, the Kings finally found a way to win, eking out a pulsating 102-99 triumph over the Purefoods Giants last Friday.
After tapping a pair of ineffective imports in Rashun Turner and Ernest Brown, Ginebra showed up with Chris Alexander, who scored 18 points, made six shot blocks and pulled down a season-high 27 rebounds in an impressive debut that sparked hopes for the legions of Ginebra fans.
“I hope he’ll be the last import we’ll get this conference because we can’t get into the rhythm if we continue to change imports,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
How Alexander will fare against the tall, agile frontline of Air21, which smashed defending champion Alaska Milk, 86-79, last week for 3-3 card, will be known tonight.
The Express have been dishing out superb defensive games, holding down their opponents under 100 points for the third straight time this conference, which they all won.
“We’re always a fast, shooting team but we wouldn’t mind playing defense if it could improve our standings,” said Air21 mentor Bo Perasol.