Free Pick: Sta. Lucia+5.5 (PBA) L

The Philippine Basketball Association continues its 35th anniversary weeklong celebration by making a first-ever visit at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium Sunday.

The weekend presentation at the PSC-run stadium inside the sprawling Rizal Memorial Sports Center features reigning Fiesta Conference champion San Miguel Beer versus Alaska Milk and Talk n Text against Sta. Lucia Realty.

The Texters and the Realtors tangle at 4 p.m. then the Beermen and the Aces clash at 6:30 p.m.


As the anniversary celebration continues, the league will raffle of one 21-inch JVC flat TV courtesy of Anson’s Appliance Center, one short-term scholarship plan from Informatics and Molten basketballs.

TV personality Say Alonzo, a former cheerleader and NCAA courtside reporter from College of St. Benilde, will be the special guest performer.

“We continue to give special treat to our fans in celebration of our anniversary. It’s our little way of giving back to them their unqualified support to the PBA for all these years,” said PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios.

The league commissioner expects another exciting action as what unraveled in Day One of the festivities Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

San Miguel shoots for a fourth win in five outings versus an Alaska team out to rebound from a losing debut against Talk n Text Wednesday.

Talk n Text, meanwhile, hopes to breach the .500 mark, going for victory No. 3 against an SLR squad which is off to a poor 1-3 start.

The Beermen caught up with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the lead on a 106-82 whipping of the Barako Energy Coffee Masters Friday.

The Beermen seized control early largely behind the exploits of Dondon Hontiveros and Alex Cabagnot and finished pulling away on the sterling closing efforts of Dorian Pena, Jay Washington and Olsen Racela.

Import Gabe Freeman drew tremendous support from his local teammates as the Beermen tied the Tigers in the lead with identical 3-1 win-loss cards.

Still, SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen insisted they have to work on many things if they’re to successfully defend the Fiesta Conference crown.

“We have bad habits,” said Tanquingcen, pointing as example the Beermen's decline after a jackrabbit start versus Barako Friday.

The Beermen jumped the gun on the Coffee Masters only to relax in the second and third quarters, allowing Barako to get into the game.

“That’s our main concern, our bad habits,” rued Tanquingcen.