ALASKA backup center Samigue Eman tries a reverse shot off Rain or Shine’s Raymond Almazan in a recent match won by the Painters. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
A well-rested Rain or Shine crew and the gung-ho Alaska Aces, who fought in one of the most exciting encounters in the elimination round of the PBA Philippine Cup, start their best-of-seven Final Four series today at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Tip-off is at 7 p.m. with the Elasto Painters out to prove that their 98-95 decision of the Aces in the classification phase was no fluke.
The Aces, on the other hand, have taken this series on a personal level, with star power forward Calvin Abueva saying that being knocked out by Rain or Shine for a top two slot is their motivation.
“We were hurt when they took that (outright Final Four qualification) away from us,” Abueva told reporters in Filipino last week after bundling out Meralco to seal a tiff with the Painters. “We want to get back at them because of that.”
Rain or Shine trailed by two with under 30 seconds left in their meeting after Abueva had nailed a running jumper off the glass, 95-93, only for rookie Jericho Cruz to score four straight points that saved the Painters.
The Painters will be taking a seven-game winning streak into this series and will again rely on its deep rotation and battery of role players.
Paul Lee will again spearhead the Painters, the losing finalists here to eventual Grand Slam champion San Mig Coffee last season.
Lee is displaying his best form and will definitely be more than a handful for the Alaska defense. The former Rookie of the Year has totally taken over the Painters as his team.
Alaska has prided itself with its defense thus far, holding powerhouse teams down to the minimum in the eliminations with an unrelenting effort from the start.
Coach Alex Compton, who is in his second straight Final Four appearance since taking over from Luigi Trillo last conference, said that the way the Aces play is no secret.
Alaska is just outworking everyone else, he said.
San Miguel Beer and Talk ‘N Text are the protagonists in the other half of the Final Four. Game 1 of the series starts tomorrow also at the Pasay venue.