ACES , ELASTO PAINTERS BEGIN GRUDGE SERIES

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With a miniscule change in their lineups, Rain or Shine and Alaska engage in a repeat of their recent PBA Governors’ Cup Final Four showdown, beginning their rematch at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Thursday.

To many, the result of their previous Final Four matchup wasn’t conclusive with Rain or Shine barely stealing the deciding match of the best-of-five series on a freak slip by Jvee Casio on a breakaway layup.

This return bout could settle the issue.

“Handang-handa na kami,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, unafraid of losing any edge on a long break after their outright semifinal entry.

“In fact we feel it’s given us a much needed rest to refresh us for the gruelling series ahead. It’s going to be an exciting series which can go seven games,” Guiao pointed out.

Alaska coach Alex Compton also foresees the same classic matches they churned out in their last semis encounter.

They figured in five well-fought matches then with the Elasto Painters escaping with a 97-94 triumph in the deciding Game Five. Two other games could have gone either way, decided by a field-goal basket in the end.

In their elimination-round meeting this conference, Rain or Shine also gained big breaks at the finish and squeezed out a 98-95 victory.

The two teams are evenly matched that they’re expected to figure in another fierce, stretched-out series in a fight for a crack at the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup championship.

“I expect a very good series with all games coming down to the last play,” said Compton.

Missing an outright semifinal berth, Compton and his Alaska troops made the Final Four just the same in bundling out the NLEX Road Warriors and the Meralco Bolts in the quarterfinals.

Their quarters grind could be a blessing in disguise as the Aces, who dropped their last two games in the elims, have again built a momentum that they could ride on in the semis.

Yielding their last game in the elims to the E-Painters, the Aces are motivated to get back.

“They denied us of the Top Two, but we showed our best in the quarterfinals. What’s more as we’re now playing a series with a championship berth at stake?” said Alaska energetic forward Calvin Abueva.

“We’ll toughen up on defense, and whoever five are on the floor will fight to the end,” said Abueva on how they could get back at the E-Painters.

Is he ready for the RoS coach’s psy-war antics, Abueva said: “My concern is the game inside the court and not off it.”

Abueva said he has high respect for the coaching lawmaker who represents their district in Pampanga in Congress. “Binoto ko sya,” said Abueva.

Compton himself doesn’t expect anything beyond a battle in the game.

“Obviously, I have a high respect for them, one because I started my coaching career with them,” said Compton, a former Rain or Shine assistant coach.

“Coach Yeng is one of the best in the league. Just everybody that has gone under him speaks highly of him. That’s something,” Compton also said.

“The hardest player I’ve ever played with is my brother. You can love and still play your best. The game shouldn’t affect the relationship,” Compton further said.

Technically, Compton said they would just do what they do best – play tough defense.

Guiao, meanwhile, insists they’re ready.

“We have a pretty good idea on how to play Alaska which has had great success with its approach to the game,” said Guiao. (SB)

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