Unbeaten Giants, Masters part ways

Purefoods Tender Juicy and Magnolia dispute the early solo lead, eyeing a third straight win while Coca-Cola goes for a second successive victory against winless Alaska Milk in the 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum today.

The Giants and the Beverage Masters slug it out at 7:20 p.m. in a rematch between the two teams that figured in the preseason tournament final.

Boosted by the return of their main men Kerby Raymundo and James Yap, the Giants completed a five-game sweep in the preseason event and have stretched their streak into the regular season with victories over the Sta. Lucia Realtors and the Talk n Text Phone Pals.

The Beverage Masters, however, are also on a run, enjoying the momentum of stirring victories over the Air21 Express and the Sta. Lucia Realtors.

The two teams seemed to have adjusted with the “no-advantage, no-foul” rule with both averaging over 100 points in their first two games.

“It’s really a matter of adjustment. The new rule is okay with us for as long as the referees call it on a consistent basis,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

San Miguel top gun Danny Seigle had his reservations on whether the new rule would be better for the league. But he has apparently coped with it, firing 28 points against the Express and 18 against the Realtors.

A team which seems to grope with the new rule is Alaska Milk, which used to thrive on a half-court game using the “triangle offense.”

“Teams have to deviate from their old game under this rule. You need quick moves, quick passes and quick shots here. You can’t just post-up. Babanggain ka lang ng babanggain ng depensa,” observed Talk n Text coach Derrick Pumaren.