Asi, Tigers eye 3rd win in row vs Magnolia

Coca-Cola, enjoying new- found confidence and renewed strength following the arrival of Asi Taulava, shoots for its third straight win as it takes on Magnolia today in the Smart-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Taulava has been churning out double-double games since he was traded by Talk n Text to Coca-Cola, including an 18-point, 18-rebound effort to help power the Tigers to a 98-92 win over fancied Red Bull last week.

“Asi didn’t only bring his energy and aggressiveness to the team but also his leadership,” said Coke coach Binky Favis.

By leading the team to its first back-to-back victories, Taulava has put Coca-Coca back in contention although the Tigers will have a lot of catching up to do with a 3-8 mark.

Taulava’s value to the team also goes beyond his outputs as he has inspired the likes of veterans Kenneth Duremdes and Mark Telan, Alex Cabagnot, Chester Tolomia and rookie sensation Ronjay Buenafe to step up their respective games.

Magnolia, coming off an 88-94 setback to Red Bull in Cavite City over the weekend, will have a lot of adjustments to do if it wants to slow down Taulava with rookie behemoth expected to take on the Fil-Tongan in their 4:35 p.m. encounter.

The Beverage Masters are in joint third with the Alaska Aces with 7-5 (win-loss) cards with both teams also eager to notch the wins that would put them closer to the pacesetting Purefoods Giants (10-3) and second running Bulls (8-4).

The Aces, meanwhile, clash with the Air21 Express (5-6) in the 7:20 p.m. main game.

Against Sta. Lucia, Taulava bulldozed his way to 26 points and 24 rebounds. He also made 33 points and 17 rebounds against Alaska in his first game as a Tiger which Coca-Cola lost, 106-117.