Free Pick: Air21+7.5 (PBA)

Preview: B-MEG Derby Ace, Barangay Ginebra and Air21, three teams making adjustments with their new imports, hope to get back in groove as they see action in today’s PBA Fiesta Conference double-header at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Kings and the Express face each other at 5 p.m. then the Llamados take on the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 7:30 p.m.

All four teams have been struggling, with Ginebra, Derby Ace and Rain or Shine tied with Alaska in the middle of the pack with identical 3-3 win-loss cards and Air21 in the cellar with a 1-6 record.

The Kings, the Express and the Llamados lost their last outing despite the arrival of their new imports.

“I need to make my adjustments quickly,” said coach Jong Uichico, needing to work on the team’s blending especially with the entry of Willie Miller in place of Cyrus Baguio.

Mildon Ambres had a decent debut as Ginebra import Friday but the Kings failed to sustain a fiery first half, squandering a 15-point spread in an 81-86 loss to the Alaska Milk Aces.

Derby Ace and Air21 also lost their first games with new imports Cliff Brown and Reggie Larry, respectively. The Llamados bowed to the San Miguel Beermen, 72-80, while the Express suffered a 115-120 defeat at the hands of the Talk n Text Tropang Texters.

“I expect Brown to play a lot better than how he played against SMB. He must shoot better from the field and must be accurate from the line,” said Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio.

The youthful Derby Ace mentor also said the whole team must address its endgame meltdown.

“We couldn’t finish the game on a winning note. We’ve discussed this and hopefully we can fix it,” said Gregorio.

“Our offense looked pathetic the whole six games. We are not even averaging 80 points. We shoot poorly from the field, we miss crucial free throws and we turn the ball over like crazy,” Gregorio added.

And Gregorio feels they have a job cut out for them versus Rain or Shine.

“Rain or Shine is always dangerous. They can light it up on offense instantly. Jai Lewis is solid, Sol Mercado is tough and Gabe Norwood is smooth. Our defense must clamp up on these guys and we must contain their three-point shooters,” said Gregorio.