Stage set for PBA Final Four battle

CEBU, Philippines — The stage is set for the Final Four battle of the PBA Governors’ Cup today (Wednesday, October 9) at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Sister teams San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra will begin their best-of-seven semifinals at 5 p.m., while TNT Tropang Giga and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters will kick off their own race-to-4 series at 7:30 p.m.

Both in Group B, the Beermen and the Gin Kings have clashed twice already in the double round elimination.

Ginebra prevailed in their first meeting via a close 108-102 decision but San Miguel exacted a fierce vengeance, 131-82, in their rematch.

While the Gin Kings are well-rested following a three-game sweep of the Meralco Bolts, the Beermen had to go through a deciding Game 5 before knocking out the gritty Converge FiberXers to reach the semis.

“Against Ginebra we just have to play well,” said Gallent following the final game against the FiberXers,” said SMB coach Jorge Gallent. “It’s well-coached, it has great players so, you know, we just have to play well, we have to play our A-game, for us to have a chance to beat them.”

Led by EJ Anosike and eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, the Beermen can also count on CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Kris Rosales, Jericho Cruz, and Mo Tautuaa in their quest for another championship appearance.

Standing on their way are Ginebra’s explosive import Justin Brownlee and its ever reliable locals in Scottie Thompson, Stephen Holt, Japeth Aguilar, RJ Abarrientos, and Maverick Ahanmisi.

On the other hand, the Tropang Giga and the E-Painters will collide against each other for the first time in this import-laced conference having been slotted in different brackets

RoS coach Yeng Guiao gamely admitted that going up against TNT would be tall order for them.

“We’re playing a tough team and they’re the defending champions,” said Guiao.

The E-Painters are bannered by the vaunted trio of Aaron Fuller, Jhonard Clarito and Adrian Nocum.

Expected to give them a big headache are TNT’s top guns in Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, and Rey Nambatac. — (FREEMAN)