Alaska wary of resurgent Coke

by Waylon Galvez
Source: Manila Bulletin | January 23, 2008

It's not always that coaches Tim Cone of Alaska and Yeng Guiao of Red Bull share the same feeling or opinion.

But in this particular situation, they both agreed that their success in the elimination round - getting outright berths - should not be used as a basis when the quarterfinal showdown in the PBA Smart-Philippine Cup starts today at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Guiao's Bulls collide with the Magnolia Beverage Masters at 7:20 p.m., while Cone's Aces take on the Coca Tigers at 4:50 p.m.

"They are a different team now as opposed to when we played them last," said Cone of their best-of-three showdown with the Tigers.

"Although we beat them twice in the elimination, wala na ngayon 'yun," said Guiao referring to the Beverage Masters.

The Tigers are on a roll, having beaten the fancied Talk 'N Text twice and Air21 in the playoff to join early qualifiers Alaska, Red Bull and Magnolia in the quarters.

With in-form Asi Taulava and Mark Telan at the helm, the Tigers ousted the Phone Pals, 81-71, and the Express, 109-102.

And that's the reason why Cone is wary of the Tigers right now.

The Aces also beat the Tigers twice, the latest was a 117-106 decision that spoiled the debut of Taulava to the team.

"Now they are well adjusted to what they want to do," Cone added. "We expect a tough series."

Coke mentor Binky Favis also sees an exciting series, especially if they could match Alaska's intensity.

"We have to match their intensity. The three wins we got gave us confidence, but we have to keep pushing and be satisfied by just reaching the quarters. We have to aim higher," Favis said.

Taulava was traded by TNT to Coke in exchange for Ali Peek and a first round pick in this year's Rookie Draft.

Alaska beat Coke twice, including a 117-106 last Nov. 28 during Asi Taulava's debut game with or two days after he was dealt by Talk 'N Text for Ali Peek and a first round rookie pick in this year's Rookie Draft.

The Tigers have actually won seven of their last 10 games - thanks to the solid performance of Taulava, Telan, John Arigo, Ronjay Buenafe and playmaker Alex Cabagnot.

Taulava averages 16.1 points and 14.2 rebounds, while Telan also norms a decent 13.7 points and 10.8 rebounds a game.

Favis' major concern is how to stop tournament's top scorer and reigning MVP Willie Miller.

The wily Miller is averaging 23 points, thus boosting his bid to win the coveted MVP award for the third time.

Aside from Miller, Cone can always bank on old reliables like Mike Cortez, Sonny Thoss, Reynel Hugnatan and Jeff Cariaso.

Equally exciting is the match between the Beverage Masters and the Bulls, who swept the former in their head-to-head encounter in the elimination.

However, Red Bull will be without 6-foot-6 center Carlo Sharma, who was suspended one game and was fined R25, 000 for figuring in a fight with Purefoods' Jondan Salvador in a no-bearing game last Jan 16.

"The frontline matchup is our biggest concern," said Guiao. "Mababaw na nga ang big man rotation namin nabawasan pa ng isa. But were lucky to be in the quarters considering that Talk 'N Text and Ginebra didn't make it."

"The two wins we had closing the elims gave us back the confidence. Game One is a must win in a short series like this," he added.

For the Beverage Masters to beat the Bulls, they have to tighten their defensive screws on Cyrus Baguio, Junthy Valenzuela, Leo Najorda and Celino Cruz.

Source: http://ngetstudio.com/news/?id=3570