The Realtors hope to accomplish that as they battle the Beermen on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in a game pitting the top two teams in this import-laden tournament.

The Beermen have set aside their injury woes this early by winning all of their first four games to pace the 10-team field.

Yet despite being on a roll, Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez said beating the Beermen would be an enormous task.

“They are a very disciplined team, have a good coaching staff and a talented line up. Yung second unit nga nila puwedeng first five sa ibang teams e,” said Fernandez.

The 6 p.m. showdown is likewise expected to focus on the import match up between Johnson and Gabe Freeman.

So far Johnson had been the most well-rounded among today’s imports, churning out double-doubles in each of the Realtors’ four games. For a while, he held the season-high for scoring with 43 points until Talk `N Text’s Tiras Wade surpassed the output with his 48-point performance.

Freeman, meanwhile, has shown his explosiveness by debuting for 40 points and coming through with several highlight-reel plays in his first game against Burger King.

But he opted to give the spotlight on his local teammates in San Miguel’s last two outings, when he averaged just 11.5 points.(jack18jack)