Games Sunday (Araneta Coliseum)
4:00 p.m. — Barako Bull vs Rain or Shine
6:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs Coca-Cola

“It’s the real thing.”

That’s the famous line of Coke’s commercial a long time ago when former MVP Asi Taulava was not yet born. Even coach Bo Perasol was perhaps not yet conceived then when that commercial became a huge hit in the airwaves.

But Perasol and his band of gutsy players are determined to use that as a challenge in the hope of extending their winning streak to four when they battle Barangay Ginebra this Sunday in the PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

“We have to bring the same kind of energy because at the back of our minds, it’s like we’re waiting for that first loss. I have to take that away, we need to focus on something else for us to win,” said Perasol who is hoping to match his personal best start in the pro league he achieved as an Air21 mentor in the same tournament two years ago.

The Coca-Cola Tigers have already beaten some the tough guys in the league, including San Miguel Beer (108-98), but the team’s toughness will just be determined when they collide against the crowd-darling at 6:30 p.m.

“That will be crucial,” said Perasol, who replaced “kababayan” Kenneth Duremdes as Coke’s coach late last year. “Ginebra is a tough team because it has the support of the crowd.”

Clashing in the first game at 4 p.m. are Rain or Shine and Barako Bull Coffee with the Elasto Painters out to notch their second straight win following their impressive victory over the Sta. Lucia Realtors a week ago.

The Coffee Masters debuted on a high note by beating the Realtors but they dropped their next two games – the latest was against Air 21, 108-98.

Perasol, however, believes his boys now have what it takes to challenge even the Gin Kings.

“If that won’t change we have a fair chance, just like the other teams, to compete and possibly win the title,” he added.

Perasol said they have to exceed the amount of energy and intensity the Kings will have to use in order for them to prevail.

Coke is just two games away from tying its franchise best start of 5-0 in 2003 Reinforced Conference.

That team mentored by Chot Reyes with import Artemus “Tee” McClary won the championship against San Miguel Beer in a classic seven-game series.