TnT vs. Coke on Saturday in Panabo

Game Saturday
(In Panabo, Davao del Norte)
4:30 p.m. – Talk n Text vs Coca-Cola

Saturday's opening game of the PBA-Smart Fiesta Cup is a surefire battle, pitting two teams with an old score to settle.

Coca-Cola and Talk n Text may have finished outside the Top Five in the recent Philippine Cup but they surely make an interesting pair to kick off the import-laced tourney set at 4:30 p.m. at the Panabo Multi-purpose, Tourism and Cultural Center in Davao del Norte.

The Pals, for one, are aching for vengeance against the Tigers who dealt them two heart-rending losses that eliminated TnT from the playoffs of the Philippine Cup.

Curiously, Talk n Text went on a nosedive after trading Asi Taulava to Coca-Cola in exchange for Ali Peek. The Fil-Tongan behemoth played a key role in the Tigers' two crucial wins against the Pals.

The poor showing of the Pals in the Fiesta Cup prompted the team management not to extend coach Derrick Pumaren's contract, paving the way for the entry of coach Chot Reyes.

Reyes said they have a job cut out for them against the Tigers.

"Coca-Cola has done a good job re-building. With two imports, all they need is three quality players and they're tough to beat," observed Reyes, who won two championships with Coca-Cola in 2002 and 2003.

"On paper, they should be in the Top Three," he added, impressed with Coca-Cola's lineup with the addition of Nic Belasco, who was during the in-between-conference break.

Aside from Taulava and Belasco, the Tigers will also be beef up by the 5-9 Calvin Cage and 6-foot- Jason Dixon.

For finishing ninth and 10^th respectively in the eliminations of last conference, Coca-Cola and Welcoat are allowed to field in two imports in the tourney – one with a ceiling of 6-foot-1 and another with unlimited height.

Talk n Text will be reinforced by Aaron McGee.

"Definitely, we've got stronger. But it remains to be seen what we can do. It's something we have to work for, something we have to sweat for," said Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis.

"Definitely, the talent we need is there. The challenge is how to use it. The great opportunity is there and I'm excited on what will unfold," Favis added.


The Pals had minor change in their lineup, acquiring free agent 6-foot-7 center Gilbert Lao.

Aside from Panabo, the league will also have stops in Tacloban on April 12 (Ginebra vs Sta. Lucia), Laoag on April 19 (Red Bull vs Alaska ), Lipa, Batangas on May 3 (Magnolia vs Red Bull ), Calape Bohol on May 10 (Purefoods vs Alaska), Cagayan de Oro on May 17 (TnT vs Sta. Lucia ), Zamboanga on May 24 (Ginebra vs Air 21), Palawan on May 31 (Magnolia vs TnT) and Lanao on June 7 (Purefoods vs Welcoat).