Tigers out to regain lost ground

MANILA, Philippines - With or without James Penny, the Coca-Cola Tigers are going all out to regain the solo lead as they square off with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Coke and Rain or Shine clash at 5 p.m. with Penny a doubtful starter with a wide gash above the right eye he sustained in an incident against B-MEG Derby Ace Wednesday night.

“We practiced assuming that James would not be fit to play. We will play through that obstacle. The locals have to step up their level of play,” said Coca-Cola coach Bo Perasol.

The wound needed at least 10 stitches to close, forcing Penny to leave with still 5:08 remaining in the contest.

The Tigers, however, rallied behind their injured import, showing a big fighting heart and outlasting the fancied Llamados down the stretch, 79-76.

Asi Taulava said they’re hopeful they can match up with the Elasto Painters even without Penny.

“We just have to step up if James won’t be able to play,” said Taulava.

The Tigers are determined to get going with a chance at regaining solo lead on a possible fifth win in six starts.

The Elasto Painters, meanwhile, are out to improve their record in the middle of the chart, eyeing their third win against two defeats.

Talk n Text and Barako Bull mix it up at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth day of the league’s weeklong anniversary celebrations.

“It’s a big game for us as it gives us a chance to go three in a row. We must contain Sammy Monroe,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.

In tonight’s twinbill, the league will raffle off one laptop, gift certificates worth P2,000 each, Molten basketballs, one Extreme Magic Sing and 10 short-term scholarship plans from Informatics. The Bingo Bola ng PBA offers a top prize of P35,000 for the first draw, P10,000 on the second draw and P5,000 on the third draw.

Crooner Richard Poon and the UST cheering squad will provide the entertainment.