Game 1 crucial in best-of-3

source: manila bulletin

Games Friday (Astrodome, Pasay City)
5 p.m. — Barangay Ginebra vs Rain or Shine
7:30 p.m. — Alaska vs Air21

MANILA, Philippines – In a best-of-three quarterfinal series, winning Game 1 can give a team a big advantage, so expect an intense and perhaps rugged action as Air21 meets Alaska Milk while Barangay Ginebra takes on Rain or Shine in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs today at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

The Elasto Painters and the Kings clash in the curtain raiser at 5 p.m., while the Aces and the Express collide at 7:30 p.m.

Air21 took the last quarterfinal berth with a 92-83 win over Alaska late Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The win likewise propelled the Express into a three-way tie for third to fifth places with the Kings and the Aces – all with 5-4 win-loss cards.

The win eliminated B-Meg Derby Ace in the playoff race, even though it finished with a 4-5 record, similar with Rain or Shine.

The Painters booked a seat with the winner-over-the-other rule following a 95-94 win against the Llamados last Feb. 23.

In Air21’s win against Alaska, import Alpha Bangura scattered 25 points, while Dondon Hontiveros, one of the four players the team obtained in a blockbuster trade with San Miguel Beer last month, added 18 points.

Despite their victory against the Aces, Express head coach Bong Ramos knows that they will be hard-pressed against the team mentored by Tim Cone since Alaska enjoys a big advantage with its playoff experience.

“Definitely, that’s one thing working for them, they have the playoff experience combined with a very good coach who I respect so much,” Ramos said.

However, with his team inspired by their achievement of reaching the playoffs and with the latest win extending their streak to four, Ramos is hoping they can continue improving, saying: “The team is picking at the right time and I hope we can sustain it.”

Alaska will rely on their import LD Williams, who had 27 points against Air21, as well as local mainstays LA Tenorio, Joe de Vance, Cyrus Baguio, Sonny Thoss, Tony dela Cruz, Mark Borboran and Bonbon Custodio.

Another exciting match-up is the game between Ginebra and Rain or Shine, which lost in overtime to also-ran San Miguel Beer, 121-117, but will still be in the playoffs for the sixth straight time in franchise history.

In their only meeting this conference, the Kings came out as winner with a 95-90 victory over the Painters last March 26 in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

In that game, Ginebra import Nate Brumfield outplayed his Rain or Shine counterpart, former NBA campaigner Hassan Adams, as he scored 30 points with eight rebounds. Adams finished with only 14 markers and eight boards.

But coach Jong Uichico of Ginebra said that elimination round results isn’t the basis that things would be easy against Rain or Shine, knowing that a team coached by Yeng Guiao will be tough to beat in the series.

“I think in any series, winning Game 1 is always important. It gives you the edge,” Uichico said.

Already in the best-of-five semifinals are top seed and Philippine Cup champion Talk ’N Text and Smart-Gilas Pilipinas. The Tropang Texters will face the winner of the Express-Aces series while the Nationals will meet either the Painters or the Kings.

source: manila bulletin