AIR21 coach Bong Ramos wants his players to maintain their focus and move forward.
Obviously, the soft-spoken mentor is trying to downplay the impact of the botched trade involving his three rookies on the team.
“Hopefully we can follow up our big win. It’s a good start of us,” said Ramos of their 92-87 victory against San Miguel on Friday in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
That stunning victory gave Air21 a chance to share the early lead when it battles struggling B-Meg Derby Ace on Wednesday.
The match is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome. It precedes the 7:30 p.m. encounter between Powerade and Talk ’N Text.
Some observers said the intention of Air21 management to ship Noy Baclao, Rabah Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra—the top three rookie picks this season—to San Miguel Beer could demoralize the team’s confidence.
The trade was rejected by commissioner Chito Salud, who viewed the deal as favoring only one side, that of San Miguel’s. San Miguel is giving veterans Mick Pennisi, Danny Seigle and Joseph Yeo in exchange for Baclao and Co.
“We have to keep our focus and move forward,” Ramos said in the aftermath of the bungled negotiation.
B-Meg Derby Ace opened its campaign in the conference with back-to-back losses against Rain or Shine and Powerade. Nevertheless, Ramos expects the Express to have a tough time against the Llamados.
“We expect Derby Ace to come out strong, they are looking for their first win after losing two so it’s going to be a tight game,” Ramos said.
The same thing goes for Powerade coach Bo Perasol, who knows exactly how their game against Talk ’N Text will be like.
“It will be a running game,” the Powerade coach said.
Perasol knows the Tropang Texters run their high-octane game pretty well. So Tigers are expected to bring their best pair of running shoes to hopefully keep pace with the Tropang Texters.
The Tigers won’t be lacking in confidence when they enter the court.
After being smothered by the Alaska Aces, 82-106, in their conference debut in the Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, they bounced back strongly three days later.
With import Russel Carter dishing out a stellar performance of 36 points, 19 rebounds and six assists, Powerade outplayed B-Meg Derby Ace, 103-96, on Saturday in Tubod.
“We have learned our lessons well,” Perasol said, referring to their loss to Alaska.
Perasol said their ability to play defense will be the key to their quest for a second-straight win.
“We have to do a better job in defending their transition offense,” he said.
Talk ’N Text coach Chot Reyes said he anticipates a tough game largely because the Tigers are reinforced by a strong import.
The Tropang Texters, who won the Philippine Cup, had just 10 days of practice to prepare for the conference and it showed in their game against the Nationals.
They were a bit slow, out of sync and didn’t show any urgency to win. But they are expected to be well focused when the face the Tigers.
“We’ll see if we improved from last game,” Reyes said.
In Photo: Top rookie pick Noy Baclao remains an Air12 Express, but up to when? (PBA Image)
