Games on Friday (Araneta Coliseum)
5 p.m. — Coca-Cola vs Purefoods
7:30 p.m. — Sta. Lucia vs Burger King

Sta.Lucia Realty try to keep pace with the league leaders in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup as they shoot for their third win in four games on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Giants meet the winless Coca-Cola Tigers at 5 p.m., while the Realtors battle the Burger King Whoppers at 7:30 p.m.

Sta. Lucia and Purefoods, the protagonists in the all-Filipino Finals a year ago, are tied for fourth to fifth places with similar 2-1 win-loss records, behind unbeaten Alaska (4-0), followed by defending champion Talk ’N Text and Ginebra with 3-1 cards.

While BK has an even 2-2 slate, Coke is one of only three teams that has yet to score a win in the season-opening conference after dropping their first three starts.

Powerhouse squad San Miguel Beer claimed its second straight win in four outings by beating Talk ’N Text, 100-90, late Wednesday at the Big Dome.

The Tigers is expected to continue to miss the services of Asi Taulava, who suffered a sprained right ankle last week in their debut game against Sta. Lucia Realty, and Purefoods mentor Ryan Gregorio hopes that they can capitalize on the absence of the 6-foot-9 center.

“We must be prepared for an all-out effort by Coke, they are shooting for their first win and they will surely go flat-out,” Gregorio said. “We have to sustain our tenacity on defense to win against Coke. Our energy must be greater and our minds must be clearer.”

Purefoods is coming off a week-long break, beating Barako Bull, 92-77, where national team members James Yap and Kerby Raymundo scored 17 points apiece.

Through three games, Gregorio said that they have limited opponents to an average of 84 points per game, “and it speaks well on the mind-set that we emphasized during off-season.”

“Slowly we are learning to play better basketball,” Gregorio said.

“The adjustment is being fast tracked to get the players to play at an optimum level and better cohesion. Fast break points and halfcourt execution will be crucial. It’s important for us to get our third win before we take a 10-day break.”

With Taulava missing his second straight game, Coke lost to Alaska, 79-100.

Coke coach Kenneth Duremdes said for them to have a fair chance of beating Purefoods, they have to limit their turnovers and convert on second chance opportunities.

“We really need to limit our turnovers and convert second chance points,” Duremdes said.