Kings, Derby Ace 5 battle for solo 3rd

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra and B-MEG Derby Ace, two teams still trying to get into the groove with a new import, slug it out tonight disputing solo third place in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Rain or Shine and Air21, two teams on tougher bind, also square off in this weekend bill where the league raffles off special prizes in celebration of Mothers Day.

A JVC 21-inch flat color TV, Magic Sing and Cherry mobile phone are among the prizes. The Bingo Bola ng PBA offers a special cash prize of P35,000 with fun games also in store for the fans. Singer Gian Magdangal provides entertainment at the break.

Air21 and Rain or Shine battle at 4 p.m. then Ginebra and Derby Ace clash at 6:30 p.m.

“The winner will occupy solo third place and that is what we are shooting for,” said Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio.

“We are comfortable with our toughness on defense. However, our offense is still a long work in progress. Steps are being undertaken to improve our 82.1 points per game average,” Gregorio also said.

“We’re struggling at this point and we have to move. Hopefully, we get the right things soon. While we find ways, every win we get is very important,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

Both teams will be without a key player. Kerby Raymundo is still nursing an injured foot while Mark Caguioa will serve a suspension for throwing the ball at a referee in their last game against the Express.

Ginebra survived Caguioa’s early ouster on flagrant infraction Wednesday, pouncing on Air21’s second-half breakdown for a 101-100 squeaker.

Later that night, Derby Ace once again leaned on a tough defensive effort to top Rain or Shine, 75-67.

“An output of 75 points is not something you’ll be happy about. We’re missing free throws, turning the ball over, and not shooting well from the field. But you have to take the good and the bad. We’re excellent on defense,” Gregorio sighed.

“What we need to do is to balance our game. We’re No. 1 on defense, but dead last on offense,” Gregorio added.

In the low-scoring Derby Ace-Rain or Shine match, only James Yap came through with a 20-point game, enough for the former UE star to join the league’s 5,000-point club.

The 2006 MVP winner made 20 points on 8-of-19 field-goal shooting and became only the third member of the ball club to reach the 5,000-point plateau after Alvin Patrimonio and Jerry Codiñera.

“Actually, I wasn’t thinking about it. I don’t want to give myself added pressure,” said Yap.

With Caguioa suspended, Willie Miller and Ronald Tubid are likely to take turns in matching up with Yap tonight.