Updated November 21, 2008 12:00 AM

Air21 faces a skidding Red Bull side today, hoping to break the .500 mark for the first time in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup even as the Lina Group ball club still awaits the board decision on its appeal for a replay of its controversial match with San Miguel Beer.

The on-and-off Purefoods team and struggling Coca-Cola clash in the 5 p.m. opener at the Araneta Coliseum. The Express are fancied to make it three in a row against the Bulls as they set out for the contest highly-motivated, well-rested and riding the
crest of a two-game streak. Coach Bo Perasol and his troops have played only two games and won both since their 129-130 double-overtime loss to San Miguel Beer last Nov. 5. The management has a pending appeal for a replay of the contest, elevating the case to the board after their protest was denied by commissioner Sonny Barrios.

The Express used the incident as a rallying point as they topped the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 106-103, then rapped the Coca-Cola Tigers, 111-101, to hit the .500 mark with five wins against five losses. The Bulls, on the other hand, have skidded all the way to the cellar after losing all their last four games to the Tigers, the Sta. Lucia Realtors, the Purefoods Giants and the Talk n Text Tropang Texters.
Perasol, however, isn’t taking the Bulls lightly. He said: “It’s always tough going up against Red Bull. More than the technical side of the game, it’s their aggressive attitude that keeps them going.”

Purefoods is half-game behind Air21 at 5-6 while Coca-Cola is tied with Red Bull at 3-7. The Giants, the losing finalists in this All-Filipino tourney last year, have been blowing hot and cold mainly due to injuries to key players. The team hasn’t played a game with a complete lineup in the season. “Admittedly, we are struggling with the absence of PJ Simon (MCL tear) and Roger Yap (severe knee contusion) and Kerby Raymundo’s condition (amoebiasis). We must look for ways to win despite the trials and obstacles we are facing this conference,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

“Coke is always a match-up nightmare for us and our preparation against their Big 3 (Asi Taulava, Nic Belasco and Mark Telan) should serve us in good stead,” Gregorio added.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=417223&publicationSubCategoryId=69