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Coke, Magnolia dispute last semis today

07/18/2008

Game today (Ynares)

7:00 p.m. — Magnolia vs. Coca-Cola

If Coca-Cola is to repeat over Magnolia, coach Binky Favis and Tigers should find a way to destroy the Beverage Masters’ defense when the two ballclubs return to the hard court today to dispute the last semifinal slot of the Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference.

The Beverage Masters took Game One of the best-of-three, 108-96 last Sunday, but the Tigers bounced back in Game Two Wednesday with a cliffhanger of a win, 91-90, on a basket by Ronjay Buenafe in the last 7.9 seconds.

The deciding Game Three is set 7 p.m. at the Ynares Gym.

Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis said that prior to Game Two, he didn’t talk much on his boys, merely telling them to just play and relax. The ploy seemed to work for the Tigers, who dominated the game. Although they lost their sizable lead, Buenafe came to the rescue to deliever the biggest basket of the night.

“I didn’t say much before the game. I just told the boys to just do their best, and they rose to the challenge. Same thing on Friday (today). For as long as we’re alive, we’ll be there fighting. We’ll maximize the one-day rest to be ready for another tough grind,” said Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis.

Magnolia’s Bethune “Siot” Tangquincen said they will put much premium on their defense today against the Tigers in their bid to make the semis for only the first time since advancing to the semis of the Philippine Cup last season.

“Defense will be the key. We played defense in Game Two but we’re not consistent basis,” Tangquincen said.

The winner will meet Air21 in the best-of-seven semifinal series starting on Sunday. The other half of the semis will pit Red Bull and Barangay Ginebra, which swept the Sta. Lucia Realty in the quarterfinals, 2-0, capped by a 113-85 win last Wednesday.