Hot Beermen eye solo lead vs Express

San Miguel Beer hopes to sustain the momentum of its 89-71 rout of Sta. Lucia Realty Thursday as it seeks to regain the solo lead against Air21 in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Coach Siot Tanquingcen said they have a job cut out for them against the Express, who, on the other hand, are raring to make up for their bitter loss to the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants Friday.

The Express had appeared to have a won game at hand but the Giants rose from the dead and stole the game in overtime. Air21 had been on a three-game romp before that defeat.

“They’re coming in strong. They have got into the groove, narrowly losing their last game,” said Tanquingcen of the Express, back in sync after a 0-3 start in the tourney.

Tanquingcen’s Beermen, however, are definitely far more impressive, winning five games by an average margin of 14.8 points. In their two defeats, the Beermen were beaten by just a point.

“It was our defense which gave us the four-game streak we had earlier. We know we can shoot the ball but it’s our defense that allows us to get the opportunities to score,” said Tanquingcen.

Though saddled by injuries to Danny Ildefonso, Danny Seigle, Samigue Eman, Mike Cortez and Marc Pingris, the Beermen have been very competitive, getting tremendous boost from new recruits Jay Washington and Mick Pennisi.

Before clobbering defending champion Sta. Lucia by 18 points, San Miguel walloped Fiesta Conference titlist Ginebra by 29.

The Kings, who have lost their last four games, are up against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the day’s other game.

“We’re struggling to find ways to win but we’ll still be out there fighting. We still have the same preparation, same mindset,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

Focus on the Ginebra-Rain or Shine contest is the keenly awaited match-up between Jayjay Helterbrand and Gabe Norwood - the two players who will likely alternate at point guard position in coach Yeng Guiao’s team for the Fiba-Asia championship next year.

Rain or Shine is coming off a 104-96 win over Talk n Text where Norwood showed up fellow celebrated rookie Jared Dillinger.