Giants, Kings seek commanding wins

Having shaken off cobwebs from their long layoff Sunday, Purefoods Chunkee and Barangay Ginebra are only expected to play better and have good shots at taking a commanding 2-0 lead versus Air21 and Red Bull in their respective duels in the San Mig Coffee PBA Fiesta Cup Final Four tonight.

The Giants and the Kings could well come out stronger and in finer form and rhythm as they clash with the Express and the Bulls in Game Two of their best-of-seven semis showdowns at the Araneta Coliseum.

A 35-day respite is not that detrimental to Purefoods Chunkee, particularly to import Marquin Chandler, as the Giants whipped the Express, 94-89, at the start of their playoff.

Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen said mental toughness of his players proved to be the key in their tough win over Red Bull.

Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio, meanwhile, said they’re simply in a better position Sunday with his team raring to return to action while the Express were tired playing a third game in three days.

"Still, I was surprised with the energy they showed in the game. We barely overcame a tough challenge of this team which has been defying odds and even logic in this tournament," said Gregorio.

Meanwhile, PBA commissioner Noli Eala yesterday disclosed that the league is taking action against one of the referees who officiated the scuffle-marred game between Purefoods and Air21 last Sunday.

Eala admitted in the weekly PSA Forum that referee Robert Ting failed to act swiftly and decisively during the crucial final two minutes of the third period when Giant import Marquin Chandler and Express guard Gary David grappled at the sideline.

However, the PBA said its earlier decisions on the penalties imposed on the players and officials remained.

"The penalities imposed during the game by the referees, the technical foul on Chandler and David for second motion and flagrant foul penalty 1 for both Chandler and David for unnecessary contact were properly assessed," Eala said.

The tape showed that as David went down on the floor, his leg went up and hit Chandler, who thought it was a kick.

It further showed that David raised his left arm in a swinging motion which was construed as such by Chandler.

"The subsequent action of Chandler can be safely construed as an effort to prevent David from what Chandler perceived to be threatenng actions," Eala said.