Tigers gun for 4th win vs Kings

MANILA, Philippines - Coca-Cola takes on Barangay Ginebra in an Easter Sunday showdown at the Araneta Coliseum, determined to sustain their sizzling start in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference.

The Tigers, who have never had a 4-0 start in a tourney in four years, go for that mark as they clash with the Kings at 6:30 p.m.

Rain or Shine and Barako Energy Coffee mix it up at 4 p.m. with the former gunning for a second win in three starts and the latter seeking a second victory in four outings.

The Tigers hardly took a rest during the brief Lenten season break as they’re really aching to keep their winning run, hoping to make it four in a row versus the Kings.

Coach Bo Perasol and the James Penny-led Coke squad are off to an auspicious start in the reinforced tourney, winning their first three games by a whopping average margin of 12.3 points.

And they’re not about to slow down.

“We need to put aside the fact that we’ve won our first three games. We have to muster enough mental toughness to overcome a very tough opponent like Ginebra,” said Perasol.

Ginebra coach Jong Uichico expressed deep concern playing the red-hot Coke team.

“We have to be consistent on both ends of the floor. They’ve got a good system going,” said Uichico.

The Kings, fourth placers in the recent Philippine Cup, had a swashbuckling debut versus the Talk n Text Tropang Texters but struggled and suffered a sorry loss in their next game against the Sta. Lucia Realtors.

Interesting is how Awvee Storey would adjust after being shackled down by the Realtors.

Storey, the only one with NBA credentials among the imports listed in the tourney, could well be up for another acid test facing Penny and Asi Taulava.

In the first game, the Elasto Painters are likely to bank heavily on import Jai Lewis anew as they look for a follow-up to their 84-77 conquest of the Realtors on Palm Sunday.

“Barako is a dangerous team having a scoring import and hard working locals. We have to maximize our height. If we control the boards and limit Sam Monroe’s touches, then we have a good chance,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.

Barako coach Junel Baculi, meanwhile, is hopeful his team will start winning soon.

“I’ve told the players that no one recognizes a team that always loses. Win and be respected. Win as a team,” said Baculi.