Aces, Beermen set out for repeat triumphs today

Rather than bask in the glow of blowout wins in Game 1, coaches Tim Cone of Alaska and Siot Tanquingcen of San Miguel Beer insist that the pair of Game 2s in the PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals today will be far tougher.

“It’s not a representative of the whole series,” Cone said of the Aces’ 104-88 rout of the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters Wednesday night that gave Alaska the head start in the best-of-seven series.

“We can’t feel complacent just basing it on one game,” said Tanquingcen, whose Beermen walloped the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados, 101-88, at the start of their own series.

The Aces clash with the Tropang Texters again at 5 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum, anticipating a big comeback from Talk ‘N Text, which will miss shooting guard Mark Cardona.

The Beermen also shoot for a 2-0 lead versus the Llamados at 7:30 p.m., with Tanquingcen fully aware of their rivals’ penchant for rising from adversity.

“We’re expecting them to come back strong, recover their bearings,” said Tanquingcen, whose squad held a 14-rebound advantage and a 28-10 edge in assists in Game 1.

“They’re like Ginebra. They have a never-say-die attitude. You just can’t relax on them on any given time.”

Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio said they will find a way to break down the Beermen, who drew 28 points from Jay Washington in the Game 1 victory.

“We’ve been here and done that,” said Gregorio, whose squad rallied from a 1-2 series deficit to oust the Beermen in the All-Filipino Conference semifinals.

“It’s that time of the year where we have to squeeze whatever we have left in our tank,” added Gregorio.

The Llamados, like the Aces, will be playing for a sixth consecutive playdate.

Cardona, who shot 17 points in Game 1, will miss today’s contest to tie the knot with his girlfriend, Carissa Francisco.

More than Cardona’s absence, Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes is worried of the matchup problems caused by LA Tenorio, Reynel Hugnatan and Joe De Vance in Game 1.

Reyes said Tenorio and Hugnatan overwhelmed Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams in their duels.

“We got our behinds kicked, plain and simple,” said Reyes.