Asi Taulava posting up against Carlo Sharma while Danny Ildefonso pushes Sharma. Photo by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines—Petron Blaze and Barangay Ginebra, sister squads with rich winning traditions, slug it out with dangerous rivals in separate best-of-three quarterfinal series of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Petron Boosters see action first against the hungry Meralco B-Boys in the 5:15 p.m. contest, before the Kings, who closed out the eliminations with four straight victories, battle super rookie Paul Lee and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 7:30 p.m.
Meralco, with Solomon Mercado and Mac Cardona, has the firepower and the size to match up with the star-laden roster of the Boosters, while the Painters can be as fast and rugged as the Kings.
The 6-foot Lee is expected to come out 100 percent ready for his first playoff appearance in the pros after sitting out Rain or Shine’s last game because of a bruised shin suffered in a meaningless game with Shopinas.com.
And it is not hard to imagine that the Rain or Shine offense would be anchored on the former University of the East ace, with former Rookie of the Year Gabe Norwood, Ryan Buenafe and Ronnie Matias expected to lend help.
Mark Caguioa, playing with renewed zest, is one of the biggest reasons why the Kings are on a surge.
With former Rookie of the Year Rico Maierhofer, the Kings have just gotten bigger and quicker, even as Mike Cortez and Ronald Tubid will take turns to try and check Lee.
Idle Talk ‘N Text, after an 81-79 decision of Barako Bull on Wednesday, is awaiting the winner of the Petron-Meralco series, and Texters coach Chot Reyes has voiced his preference for the B-Boys as Final Four foes.
“It would be better if Meralco wins,” Reyes told reporters after slipping past the stubborn Energy. “At least, we (Manny V. Pangilinan group) will have a sure team in the Finals.”
Chris Lutz, another crack rookie, is also expected back for the Boosters, whose offense will continue to be run by Alex Cabagnot with Arwind Santos presiding on the other end.
The winner of the Ginebra-Rain or Shine series will take on the winner of the B-Meg-Powerade duel that will be decided this Sunday after the Tigers avoided elimination by topping the Llamados, 97-88, also last Wednesday.