Exactly 48 hours after its debut win in the PBA Fiesta Cup, Derby Ace guns for victory No. 2 when they take on Air21 in the main game of the league’s anniversary doubleheader at the Astrodome Friday.
Despite their 86-79 trouncing of the Sta. Lucia Realtors Wednesday night in their first game this conference and a decent 20-point outing from import Lorenzo Wade, coach Ryan Gregorio believes the Llamados have yet to fully regain their form after a month’s break in the aftermath of their successful title run in last conference’s Philippine Cup. "We committed 25 turnovers (against Sta. Lucia), and it could be attributed to the rust and the unfamiliarity of our import to our system," Gregorio admitted. Wade scored 20 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in the Llamados’ victory over the Realtors, a performance that earned a nod from Gregorio, who expects his import to get better as the tournaments progresses. "Wade played a decent game," said Gregorio. "But he must improve on his one-on-one defense and he should work on slashing to the basket to get fouls." Unlike the defensive-minded team like the Realtors, the Llamados will be up against a run-and-gun team in the Express in their 7:30 p.m. encounter. Although coming off a 100-96 loss to Coca-Cola in their last game, the Express (1-2) are a re-tooled team now boasting of several offensive options in Mike Cortez and RenRen Ritualo.
Sta. Lucia import Anthony Johnson, center, tries to get out of the tight defense put up by Derby Ace's Mark Pingris, left, and Roger Yap during their Fiesta Cup game on Wednesday at the Astrodome. GMANews.TV
"Air21’s offensive artillery is more potent," said Gregorio. "They will push the ball hard and score on fast-breaks. Our transition defense must be quick and sharp on the rotation." Meantime, defending champion San Miguel Beermen eye win No. 3 when it tangles with a slumping Barako Energy Coffee Masters in the 5 p.m. opening game. The Beermen (2-1) can break out of a three-way tie for second place with sister team Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine with a victory over the Energy Coffee Masters. San Miguel got 29 points and 22 rebounds from import Gabe Freeman in its last outing against Talk ‘N Text, which it won in overtime, 112-106. The Energy Coffee Masters, on the other hand, suffered a 90-82 loss to the Elasto Painters on April 4 for their third straight setback after winning their initial outing against Sta. Lucia.
– GMANews.TV 
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