Water Force gun for clincher

Viva Mineral Water-FEU was almost there last year but was not lucky enough.

Given another chance to complete their date with destiny, the Water Force are expected to go for the kill today against Welcoat Paints in Game 4 of their interesting title series in the 2004 PBL Unity Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.

"Kahit sino man ang nasa position namin, siguro isa lang ang goal namin and that is to win Game 4. But as I said, we’re still relying upon God’s will," said coach Koy Banal. "We don’t know what will happen next but just the same, we’ll be ready."

Behind the endgame heroics of Warren Ybanez and MVP winner Arwind Santos, the Water Force took a 2-1 lead in their best-of-5 title series following a 66-64 come-from-behind win over the Paint Masters.

The Game 3 showdown had almost the same color, drama and heroes as in Game 1 which Viva-FEU also won, 59-54, in overtime.

Game time is set at 3 p.m. in a game where no punches are expected to be pulled and no quarter to be given as both teams know how crucial the game is.

A victory would give the Water Force their first-ever title since joining the league last year where they went straight into the finals in their first foray.

But in the end, they lost to the more experienced Hapee Toothpaste that was backstopped then by Rich Alvarez, Peter June Simon and Allan Salangsang, all pros now.

The Water Force also won both Games 1 and 3 last year, the same thing which happened to the Paint Masters during their finals showdown with Hapee in the Platinum Cup finals. Welcoat also lost to Hapee last February.

Banal, however, was quick to point out that they have already learned some lessons from that defeat and hoped that it would not happen again.

"Experience is the best teacher, so we have learned a lot from that defeat last year," added Banal who refused to count the Paint Masters out of the series.

Welcoat coach Caloy Garcia is also hoping to conjure up the same intensity and magic that carried them to a record-setting 52-35 win in Game 2 last Tuesday.

But it’s going to be an uphill battle for Welcoat side considering the stinging defeat they suffered last time where they allowed victory to slip again–just like in Game 1.

"Breaks of the game kaya natalo kami. But it’s not yet over," said Garcia. "I’m confident my boys can bounce back, mga beterano na ang mga iyan kaya alam kong babalik ang mga iyan to prove something."

Banal echoed Garcia’s observation, saying: "Don’t be deceived, I know they have what it takes to comeback." Banal, who steered the FEU Tamaraws into the UAAP championship last year, underscored again the importance of discipline.

"If my boys will come ready to play and ready to sacrifice for the good the team, we have good chances.

The important thing in this series is character, without it, walang mangyayari sa iyo," said Banal whose crippling and a disciplined defense in the final quarter held the Paint Masters to just five points.

Viva-FEU’s stifling defense was best exemplified by Santos and veteran Jason Misolas who held Welcoat’s Chester Tolomia scoreless for the first time this conference.

Jojo Tangkay, who electrified the crowd in the middle quarters, was also a non-factor in the pivotal final canto as Joel Co haunted him no end. Tangkay still finished with 15 points.