KINGS BRACING FOR WAR

If their eliminations matchup was any indication, the war between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Rain or Shine on Saturday will truly be a test of mettle for the protagonists from both squads.

Losing that first duel to the Elasto Painters, 79-82, Ginebra coach Ato Agustin wants no let-up from his wards come the quarterfinals, as the Kings will be playing with a twice-to-win disadvantage against the number one-seed Rain or Shine.

“Kailangan maging ready kami sa physicality of the game,” he said.

Recounting their emotional duel at the Cuneta Astrodome which saw fans ejected from the venue and fines handed out to a number of players, Agustin believes that Ginebra has what it takes to topple coach Yeng Guiao and the E-Painters, regardless if they are coming into the game as the eighth-seeds.

“Ahead kami for most of the game pero sa huling three or four minutes, dun kami bumigay. Maganda yung start, pero sa second half, dun nagbago ang depensa ng Rain or Shine. Dapat paghandaan namin yun,” he said. “Sa end game, dapat smart talaga yung players para masustain yung lead.”

Not helping Agustin’s cause are the injuries his players have sustained, as Emman Monfort (shoulder), Joseph Yeo (back), and possibly Japeth Aguilar (sprained ankle) will all be playing hurt, if not missing the all-important affair.

But the 1992 PBA MVP remains unfazed.

“Sinabi ko lang na we still have a chance. Wag tayong ma-let down. Heads up tayo kasi di pa naman tayo out eh. Parang best-of-three lang yan, pero ahead sila ng one game. Kelangan lang we believe in each other kasi kaya naman namin eh,” said Agustin, as he already reminded the crowd favorites to prepare for war on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“Siguro mas physical pa ang mangyayari sa Saturday. Kailangan kahit physical, di dapat mawala yung focus namin dun sa game.” (RL)

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