Rico Maierhofer of Purefoods (left) drives against Coca-Cola's Wesley Gonzales in their PBA duel last Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. The Giants won, 88-79. (Photo by TONY PIONILLA)

Games Friday (Araneta Coliseum)
2:30 p.m. — Smart-Gilas vs Alaska
5:00 p.m. — Ginebra vs Barako Bull
7:30 p.m. — San Miguel vs Sta. Lucia

Sister teams San Miguel Beer and Ginebra try to boost their bids for two outright semis berths when they battle separate rivals this Friday in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Despite injuries to key players, the Beermen are determined to extend their winning streak to 9 when they clash with the Sta. Lucia Realtors at 7:30 p.m. while the Kings collide with the Barako Bull Energy Boosters at 5 p.m.

League leader Alaska Milk, on the other hand, tests the mettle of the Smart-Gilas national team in an exhibition game at 2:30 p.m.

Gilas, mentored by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, is fresh from an impressive 109-96 win over SMB last Friday in Antipolo City.

The first time San Miguel battled Sta. Lucia, the Beermen won impressively, 88-69, though the efforts of Arwind Santos who sizzled with 21 points aside from grabbing 13 rebounds.

The Beermen are coming off a 100-85 triumph against the Whoppers of Burger King last Sunday.

With the way things are going, Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez admits that beating the Beermen will be a tough task.

“It will be a tough game, considering that SMB has a star-studded line-up,” said Fernandez, whose team is nursing a 63-68 loss to Purefoods last Saturday in Surigao del Norte.

Aside from Santos, San Miguel has in its fold other star players like Dondon Hontiveros, Dorian Peña, Mick Pennisi, Lordy Tugade, Jonas Villanueva, Mike Cortez, and Olsen Racela, that they hardly feel the absence of injured players Danny Ildefonso and Jay Washington.

Still, Fernandez remains confident that his boys have the discipline and character to challenge the Beermen, saying: “We’re always ready, this game is no exemption. We have to come out with a lot of intensity, mental toughness if we want to keep up with them.”

Expected to lead the Realtors are former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kelly Williams, who trails Santos in the race for the BPC award, and former Rookie of the Year Ryan Reyes.