B-Meg Derby Ace methodically broke down the Express Friday night to post a 92-75 victory, its second in the PBA Fiesta Cup, which allowed the Llamados to seize the elimination round lead just three nights after debuting in the tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome.

“Coming into the game, we knew we cannot allow them to score in the 90s,” Gregorio said in a very excited tone which he later said was brought about by having won against a team he feared so much.

“We needed to be in their face every time,” he said of the defensive plan he devised for the contest. “We contested every shot and we limited them to 75. That’s the testament to the kind of respect we have for that team.”

Lorenzo Wade played a much better game than he did in his debut by shooting 29 points to go with 11 rebounds and two blocks as he totally outplayed Air21 counterpart Keena Young, who looked like he just signed his release papers with a forgettable performance.

Young finished with just 13 points and 12 rebounds and was of little help to Air21’s cause last night as the Express took a second straight loss and are now at 1-3.

“It is encouraging to note that our import now knows that we play defense to win games,” Gregorio said of Wade. “He’s tagging along and that’s a good sign for us.”

Ronjay Buenafe’s 14 points led the Express, who said before the game that management is now looking for a replacement for Young. Coaching staff had told Young that last night’s game would be used to gauge whether or not he would be staying or not.

Derby Ace held the Express to 10 first quarter points before taking a 50-37 lead at the turn.

Air21 was never really in the game after that as the Llamados played with complete command with James Yap hitting 15 points and Roger Yap finishing with 14.

Kerby Raymundo sat out a second straight game because of a leg injury and the Llamados continued to not show signs of missing the former Mythical Team member.

San Miguel used a torrid start riding Dondon Hontiveros’ hot hands in cruising to a 106-82 ripping of Barako Coffee in the first game that gave the Beermen a share of second place with idle Coca-Cola.

Hontiveros nailed his first four attempts – two of them three-pointers – as the Beermen took a 25-7 lead after just eight minutes before cooling down somewhat in the third period and allowing the Coffee Masters to come within three points.

But it was clear that San Miguel had so much firepower that the Coffee Masters couldn’t contain, and add to the fact that import Sammy Monroe didn’t get support from Barako Coffee’s locals, the Beermen rose to 3-1 in the standings.

The loss was the fourth straight for the Coffee Masters, who have lost all momentum gained from an opening day win to again languish in a spot they have been very familiar with in the last two seasons – the bottom.

Hontiveros went on to finish with 20 points and Gabriel Freeman scattered 17 to go with 13 boards for San Miguel, the tournament’s defending champion.

Despite the lopsided victory, coach Siot Tanquingcen still feels that they have a lot of work to do, still talking in a way that barely had traces of satisfaction.

“We are concerned with giving up so many free throw attempts,” Tanquingcen said when asked of the reason why the Coffee Masters were able to come within three points near the end of the third period.

“That’s something we’re trying to improve on,” the usually tongue-tied Tanquingcen added. “Coming into this game, we were averaging 36 free throws given up. (It comes from) bad habits, sometimes, when we take things for granted.

“Sometimes we have this feeling that we are the superior team, when we try to outscore our opponents,” he continued. “We have to make sure that we play good, honest defense.”

Crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra and streaking Rain or Shine, meanwhile, try to keep in step with San Miguel when they clash Saturday in a road game at the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center in Negros Occidental.

Rudy Hatfield could see action for the Gin Kings in the 5 p.m. contest against the Elasto Painters. Hatfield last played in the PBA in 2007 when he helped the Kings in winning this tournament.

He returned four days ago and has immediately plunged into practice, but coach Jong Uichico said that they are still evaluating when Hatfield would finally be playing again.