FIGHT FOR LIFE
When the four-and-five quarterfinal matchup in the 2014 PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup drew Rain or Shine and Meralco, the public expected only one thing – that the series, regardless of how long would it stretch, would be an absolute dogfight.
Two games down and a split count for the two protagonists later, and we’re down to a single game to settle it all.
But it wouldn’t be that easy.
After a hard-fought Game 2 which saw the E-Painters knotting the count at one game apiece, players from both teams showed that nobody will back down from anybody.
And with both squad’s campaigns on the line, all bets are off once that opening buzzer sounds and the ball is thrown up in that opening tip.
But an interesting subplot is brewing. Fines have been meted out but the fever-pitch emotions will continue to be felt.
Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio hopes that he will have a healthy lineup come game time on Saturday, which is slated at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum at 2:45 p.m., as Jared Dillinger was rushed to the hospital after a nasty fall in the third quarter of Game 2.
“He’s been the glue in keeping this team together. He’s playing above par, and I just hope that he’ll be healthy come Saturday. We’re hoping its nothing serious,” he said.
For hisxpart, ROS mentor Yeng Guiao also cherishes the extended break, compared to the back-to-back games which forced them to play tired in Game 1.
“The break gives us a little bit more preparation and some rest. I think the two-day break will be better for us,” he said.
Gregorio also shifted his focus in the do-or-die game, as he said, “It’s the best part in winning Game 1 of a best-of-three series. You lose one, you still have a chance. We’re fighting for playoff position and we’re fighting to get to the next level.”
“I hope its still gonna be won by basketball intelligence,” Gregorio adds. “In experience as a franchise, they have the experience. In terms of hunger, I think it’s pointing towards us and we should have the advantage on that. But you have to throw everything out of the window come Saturday cause it really doesn’t matter. Forget about history, forget about tomorrow and live in the present. Stay in the moment.”
Buckle up, guys. Game 3 won’t just be a battle, it’s going to be war. (RL)
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