INQUIRER Sports

GAMES FRIDAY (Araneta Coliseum)
5 p.m.?Talk ?N Text vs Ginebra
7:30 p.m.?Rain or Shine vs Purefoods

AFTER ESCAPING WITH TIGHT WINS Wednesday, Ginebra and Rain or Shine look to forge a deciding match in Game 4 of their respective KFC PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal series at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ginebra coach Jong Uichico hopes for a more consistent performance from his Gin Kings, who are seeking to level their series with Talk ?N Text at two games apiece in the 5 p.m. duel.

?We?ve got to find ways to play both ends of the floor,? Uichico said after the Gin Kings nearly squandered a double-digit lead before pulling off a 102-97 victory Wednesday night.

?You are ahead, then all of a sudden, boom! Talk ?N Text is just a tough team.?

Rain or Shine is also hoping to complete its climb from a 0-2 hole in the 7:30 p.m. showdown with Purefoods.

Battle-weary and giving up plenty of ceiling to the Giants? beefed-up frontline, the Elasto Painters willed their way to a 95-92 win in Game 3, thanks to Gabe Norwood?s dunk with 4.6 seconds left.

?We just have to compete, keep fighting,? said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia, who drew 17 points from sophomore swingman Jeff Chan.

The Gin Kings, who welcomed Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa into the lineup in this series after the backcourt duo missed majority of the conference due to injuries, drew a career-high 25 points from JC Intal.

Purefoods mentor Ryan Gregorio rued the lack of energy of his key players in the defeat Wednesday night and said his team will take a do-or-die mentality for Game 4.