INQUIRER Sports

IT HAS BEEN AGES since San Miguel won eight straight games. Ironically, that was the last time the Beermen won a title.

San Miguel shoots to match a franchise record tonight when the Beermen battle a similarly hot Talk N? Text crew as the elimination round of the season-ending Motolite Fiesta Cup resumes today at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

The Beermen would stay in the lead whatever the result of their 7:30 p.m. contest with the Tropang Texters, but they naturally want to notch a win and equal their 2005 run in this tournament.

Because of the All-Star break, San Miguel will be coming into the match seeking to get out of the cobwebs of a 16-day rest. Its clash with Coca-Cola in Dubai last April 15 was moved to next month due to visa problems.

Coach Siot Tanquingcen expressed concern.

?It is hard to stay sharp if we only play against each other,? he said. ?But whatever it is, we have to go through it like professionals and just strive on to improve.?

This is actually the second long break for the Beermen, counting their 17-day rest during the Holy Week period. They won their last game on April 12 against Rain or Shine, 102-95.

While Tanquingcen was ruing the fact that they only played against each other during the break, Talk N? Text mentor Chot Reyes is saying he never had a real chance to be with his squad.

?We weren?t able to get in some quality practices because of the All-Star break,? Reyes told the Inquirer after coaching two All-star selections that battled the Powerade-Team Pilipinas last week. Several of his players also played during the festivities.

Meanwhile, Marquin Chandler makes his return to Philippine soil and to Purefoods when the Tender Juicy Giants slug it out with Coca-Cola in the first game.

?He will definitely make a difference for us on both ends,? Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said. ?Our aim to be able to get to the upper half of the standings is attainable. A victory will draw us closer to our goal.?