RJ Rizada of Coca-Cola (center) and import James Penny (left) defend against Sammy Monroe of Barako Coffee during their PBA Fiesta Cup duel last Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. The Tigers won, 97-74. (Photo by ALI VICOY)

Games Wednesday (Araneta Coliseum)
5 p.m. — Coca-Cola vs Air21
7:30 p.m. — Talk ’N Text vs San Miguel

Front-running Coca-Cola, unbeaten in two matches, hopes to match Air21’s run-and-gun attack when the two teams collide this Wednesday in the resumption of the PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

“We need to sustain our energy and balance our attack, especially against a tough team like Air21,” said Coke coach Bo Perasol. “It is also important that we run with them.”

Perasol, who used to handle the Express, said the acquisition of speedster Mike Cortez has made Air21 a formidable opponent.

The Express won their last assignment against Barako Coffee, 113-108, to bounce back from their 92-87 loss to San Miguel in the conference opener.

James Penny, who averaged 30 points and 11 rebounds in the Tigers’ first two wins, is again expected to lead the Tigers who can also draw contributions from Gary David, Asi Taulava, Dennis Espino, Chico Lanete, and rookie Chris Ross.

Keena Young, who led the Express with 25 points and 16 rebounds against the Coffee Masters, goes head-to-head with Penny in an intriguing match-up between two prolific imports.

Aside from Cortez and Young, Guiao will also rely on his other mainstays like Renren Ritualo, whom the Express reacquired in a trade with Talk ’N Text, Ronjay Buenafe, rookie Ronnie Matias, Carlo Sharma and veteran playmaker Egay Billones.

In the nightcap at 7:30 p.m., defending champion San Miguel Beer battles Talk ’N Text.

The two games will be the last for this week before the PBA takes a short Lenten break.

The classification phase will resume on Easter Sunday at the Big Dome with two matches pitting Rain or Shine against Barako Bull Coffee and Coke against Barangay Ginebra.

The Tropang Texters, who edged Rain or Shine, 99-96, last Friday, will be facing a team smarting a poor performance against the Tigers.

SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen said the match will boil down to which team has better chemistry.

“Both teams made changes during the break,” Tanquincen said, referring to San Miguel’s acquisition of Joseph Yeo and Alex Cabagnot and TNT getting RJ Quinahan, Mark Yee, and Aaron Aban. “I think the team that plays with the best chemistry this early is going to have the edge.”

TNT goes into the match with an added incentive.

The Texters have not beaten the Beermen since the 2005-06 Fiesta Cup.

San Miguel has won its last five meetings with TNT.

“We’ve got to change that,” Reyes said.

TNT will again rely on import Shawn Daniels, locals Jimmy Alapag, Mark Cardona, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jared Dillinger against last season’s Best Import Gabe Freeman, Dondon Hontiveros, Arwind Santos, and Jay Washington.