SISTER teams Purefoods and San Miguel Beer are locked in a tie for the lead in the Motolite-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference.

But in their Friday the 13th encounter, the sister teams will definitely show no love toward each other and set aside their corporate bonding once they take center stage at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Giants and the Beermen part ways today, both seeking win no. 3 in as many games and keeping the pace in this import-flavored tournament.

The Giants and the Beermen are coming off contrasting victories.

Purefoods was pushed to the limit in its previous outing against Rain or Shine as the Giants needed an extra period?and luck?to outlast their rivals, 102-94, in Batangas City last week.

It was the first win by the Giants over the Elasto Painters in three conferences, this despite losing import Brian Hamilton, who was thrown out of the game due to a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 called on him.

But Don Allado, who spent his amateur career playing for Rain or Shine?s mother franchise, Welcoat Paints, stepped up big time.

The newest Giant played big, finishing with 22 points and nine rebounds as Purefoods pulled the rug from under a Rain or Shine squad which couldn?t deliver the final blow in the endgame to upstage its rival.

Allado has averaged 18.5 points in his first two games with his new team, but his biggest test will come today against the mighty Beermen, who have stood out as one of the best teams so far despite the absence of their big guns? two-time Most Valuable Player Danny Ildefonso, former Rookie of the Year awardee Danny Seigle, Lordy Tugade, Mike Cortez and Marc Pingris.

Unlike Purefoods, the Beermen had an easier time beating its rival in Burger King, 114-105, last week.

New import Gabe Freeman finished with 40 points and 17 rebounds in what was easily a scintillating debut. He has earned admiration of everyone with his energetic plays, most notably his coach, Siot Tanquingcen.

?Based on the scouting report given to me by Alton Lister, Gabe is a live wire, who brings a lot of energy to his team,? said Tanquingcen. ?But I was surprised more on his scoring prowess. I was expecting energy from him, but I was surprised seeing him scoring that much, especially in his first game with barely a day of rest.? Rey Joble