Quarterfinals or bust for Express, Realtors

Air21 hopes to sustain its searing charge while Sta. Lucia Realty seeks redemption as the two teams clash in a knockout duel for the last slot in the Talk n Text PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals at the Astrodome today.

It’s a battle of a team on the rise and a team on skid as the Express and the Realtors collide at 7 p.m. to determine who will advance to the quarters against Red Bull.

The Express are enjoying a huge morale-boost from an impressive three-game run. The Realtors have lost eight of their last 10 games. Worse, Sta. Lucia’s main man Dennis Espino is hurt.

Air21 coach Bo Perasol said his boys remain highly motivated hoping to cap its incredible run after sweeping the wildcard round to gain the playoff.

"Our efforts will go to naught if we lose this match," said Perasol.

Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua, meanwhile, said they’ve regained their fighting form and killer’s instinct after their ghastly rout of Coca-Cola Sunday.

"That’s important, that’s the missing link (in our game during our slump)," said Chua.

A 22-point blowout by the Express at the start of the wildcard round was among the lowest points for the Realtors. But Chua felt they have recovered their bearing as could be gleaned from their 47-point massacre of the Tigers.

Chua said they’re determined to redeem themselves from their wildcard-round loss to the Express.

Perasol, on the other hand, said they want to get even with the Realtors who swept them in two games in the classification round. For the record, the Express have yet to win four straight games under Perasol.

Meanwhile the PBA launched the Astig Radio last Saturday on 91.5 Energy FM. Aired from 11 a.m.-12 noon, the weekly interactive program ventures on a mix of showbiz and hot PBA topics.

This week’s guests are Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and team managers Samboy Lim of Ginebra and Hector Calma of San Miguel. The program is hosted by Mr. Magoo and Sgt. Mark.