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[Jay P. Mercado]

Much credit for Coke's initial success this Fiesta Conference is their coach, former POF' student Dolrich "Bo" Perasol. Perasol has done a masterful job in weaving chemistry to this otherwise team without identity in the past. He has secured players whom he's extremely comfortable with and knows how to deal with them.

Asi Taulava has established himself as the team's spiritual and guiding leader. Dennis Espino has responded very positively as well, cooperating with Taulava in letting him lead the team, a role that Espino used to do with SLR. The only thing where Coke is weak at is at the point position, with only Chico Lanete and Marvin Cruz around. They lost Alex Cabagnot to be able to get Gary David, which wasn't really bad. But they would need to shore up their point position to go deep into the playoffs.

Another key element here is James Penny's resurgence as a player. The do-it-all import is performing the same way as the time when he powered Red Bull to the 2006-2007 Fiesta Conference title. Penny makes the job easier for Perasol as he practically does everything inside the court. Coupled with two of the best big men in the PBA in Taulava and Espino, this team will be a threat as they arguably have the best frontline in the league today.