Giants wary of Air21’s dirty tactics

Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao expects Barangay Ginebra to make drastic changes in the game but he doesn’t intend to make his own adjustments, believing they’ve gotten the right formula that could bring them to the San Mig Coffee PBA Fiesta Cup finals.

Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said he’s making his adjustments while expressing concern over what he called "dirty tactics" some Air21 players are employing against his key players.

Guiao and Gregorio have these in mind as their teams go for the pivotal 3-1 lead versus the Kings and the Express in their respective best-of-seven semifinals showdowns in this import-reinforced tourney.

Action shifts back to the Araneta Coliseum with Red Bull and Ginebra clashing in the 4:10 p.m. curtain-raiser then the Giants and the Express colliding at 6:40 p.m.

"They (the Kings) will take the bigger risks of making big adjustments, having lost two games in a row. High-energy defense is the right formula that got us ahead in the series. We’ll not deviate from that. We’ll continue to play with tremendous energy on defense," said Guiao.

"Without sounding sour-graping, I want to appeal that we play according to the rules. We’re bothered by their cheap shots. Some of them (the Express) are getting away with punches and all," said Gregorio.

"I have to stress that the officiating is on a high-level. But I reviewed the tape and I saw Yancy and Ranidel in particular getting away with punches. Let’s not spoil the series. Baka pinipikon nila ang mga players ko. Mahirap kapag hindi ko na sila ma-control," Gregorio added. "Playing hard is one thing, playing dirty is another."

Gregorio, however, admitted they just couldn’t stop Air21’s torrid shooting Friday, failing to move in the threshold of the finals following an 87-101 blowout by the Express.

"Their tremendous shooting, specifically by Renren (Ritualo) killed us in Game Three. We expected Renren to come out firing. Unfortunately, we failed to stop him," said Gregorio.

Ritualo made nine triples and finished with a career high 40 points to lead the Express to the crucial win.

"It’s time for us to make the adjustments which will be defensive in nature. We have to defend well against Renren and limit his touches," said Gregorio.

Guiao also intends to get his troops playing hard-nosed defense from the opening tip in a bid to make it three in a row versus the Kings.

"Game Four is crucial. If we get it, they would already have a hard time coming back. Mahirap silang labanan ng sabayan lang because of the big boost they have been getting from the crowd," said Guiao.

"Mabuti nakalamang agad kami ng malaki (in Game Three). Kung maliit-liit lang iyon, baka inabot pa kami," Guiao added.

Quicker in getting the ball, shooting much better and more efficient on defense in their early rampage, the Bulls built enough cushion to survive a fourth-quarter chase by the Kings to the big disappointment of the predominantly Ginebra crowd at the Ynares Center Friday.

Sustaining the momentum of their stirring 86-83 victory in Game Two, the Bulls darted to a 27-10 lead in the first quarter, sat on a 54-32 cushion at halftime, increased the lead by one, 74-51, by the end of the third before facing a scary storm by the Kings at the finish.