-
-
-
SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
-
-
-
-
05
-
02
-
2024
-
SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
05
02
2024
The long wait is over on Wednesday night.
That is the wait for a title collision between these two giants with their giant winning traditions spiked by their respective dominant league reigns and grand slam feats.
San Miguel Beer and Alaska, boasting a combined haul of 33 championships, figure in a titular showdown for the first time in five years, starting their battle at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen are in the Finals for the first time in four conferences while the Aces are doing the last dance for the first time in five tourneys. At stake is the league’s most coveted ware – the Philippine Cup crown.
It’s a battle for the ages considering these two great teams are meeting in an all-Filipino championship series only for the first time in 17 long years.
For all their amazing runs, San Miguel and Alaska have clashed head-on in the Finals only six previous times. The Aces enjoy a 4-2 upperhand in those face-offs.
But the odds are heavy on San Miguel’s side in their rematch.
The Beermen, with new coach Leo Austria, topped the elimination round with a 9-2 win-loss record and roared to the Finals with an amazing 4-0 sweep of the Talk n Text Tropang Texters in the semifinals.
Austria and his chargers, however, are trying to downplay their chances.
“Remember they beat us in the elims. We have to find out how to beat them,” said Austria.
“Maraming nagsasabing paborito kami, but this is the Finals. Pare-parehas na ang labanan dito. It’s more of a battle of wills. At tingnan nyo naman ang determinasyon ng Alaska,” said SMB top forward Arwind Santos.
Missing out the Top Two in the elims, the Aces took the longer, tougher route to the Finals, bundling out NLEX and Meralco in the quarterfinals and then Rain or Shine in the semis.
And just everyone is amazed of the energy, passion and enthusiasm Alaska put up in its swashbuckling playoff run.
“That’s our only way to win games. And that’s our way to have a chance against San Miguel Beer,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
“What do they have? Two MVPs (Santos and June Mar Fajardo) surrounded by equally great athletes committed to play a disciplined game,” Compton also said.
San Miguel is well rested and motivated while Alaska rides the momentum of that playoff ride as they dispute the series icebreaker.
The two coaches have differing opinions on the importance of Game One.
“Winning Game One is important. It will boost the players’ confidence and morale, and maybe dictate the series,” said Austria, a PBL and ABL champion coach reaching the PBA Finals in his very first tournament as head coach of San Miguel Beer.
“Yes, it’s important but not much. It’s just one game in a long series,” said Compton, a former US NCAA Division I player making the PBA Finals only in his second tournament as head coach.
San Miguel eyes a fifth Philippine Cup title and 20th overall while Alaska also shoots for a fifth all-Filipino crown and 15th in all. (SB)
Follow Us
Other Stories:
Recent Stories:
Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines.