Bulls, Giants go at it again

In a fortnight, it’s either Red Bull shall have completed a mini-grand slam or Purefoods a record-tying fourth All-Filipino crown as the Bulls-Giant Finale Part II starts today at the Araneta Coliseum.

It could well become an epic battle with both the Bulls and the Giants looking well equipped and determined to win their Gran Matador Brandy PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven title playoff. It’s a repeat of their Fiesta Cup championship won by the Bulls in six games earlier this year.

But gone are imports James Penny and Marquinn Chandler, and Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said he has learned his lessons from their Fiesta Cup defeat.

Red Bull and Purefoods slug it out at 7:35 p.m. in Game One of the series supported by Welcoat Paints. San Miguel and Alaska dispute the second runner-up honors in a one-game playoff at 4:40 p.m.

"There were a lot of lessons learned in the last conference. I was then engrossed at trying to figure out what would be the next step of coach Yeng (Guiao). Now, my countermove is just to make my team better," said Gregorio.

While the Giants are aching for revenge and respect, the Bulls are looking at a place in history. The Bulls want a first-ever All-Filipino crown that will also complete what their coach has termed as a "modern-day grand slam." If they win it, Guiao said he’ll start thinking of retirement.

With a deeper and experienced bench, Guiao and his boys thought they’ll have a better chance of winning if the series drags on although main man Enrico Villanueva, would rather have a short series since he’s set to get married on July 15.

The two teams have had a short preparation as their respective semis duels with San Miguel and Alaska went the distance ending Sunday.

Gregorio felt they have an advantage saying Red Bull plays a lot like Alaska. Guiao, meanwhile, said they have to do some major adjustments in their game after the San Miguel series.

Never did Guiao and the Bulls come this far to winning the most prestigious tournament of the PBA. And the manner in which they made it through made them more focused for for the title.

"What we have shown in Game 5 of the quarterfinals against Ginebra and Game 7 of the semifinals against San Miguel will not be any less than what we’ll show in the Finals," Guiao guaranteed.

"Since the league underwent a new format under commissioner (Noli) Eala, no team had won a grand slam. Now, if you win in two successive conferences, that’s the modern-day grand slam. And we’re trying to do it," said Guiao.

Both Guiao and Gregorio believe their teams are equipped and determined enough to have a good shot at the championship.

Guiao said he has a deep bench with their 11th and 12th players capable of playing 20 solid minutes.

Gregorio, on the other hand, thought he’s armed with great shooters that can break down the Red Bull defense.

"Our No. 1 strength is that for such a young team, my players have shown extra ordinary mental toughness. They said Red Bull plays physical but this is not what makes us strong. We just do what it takes to win," said Guiao.

"We have physical toughness that comes with mental toughness. Lordy Tugade will shoot the ball whatever happens, Villanueva will pound the boards and Topex Robinson will hound you from baseline to baseline. We’re like that," Guiao added.

"Red Bull is really hard to stop. For one, you can’t anticipate coach Yeng Guiao’s varying combinations," said Gregorio. "They are quick and they can rebound, finish fastbreak and press on defense. But we had that training against Alaska. I don’t know what would be their counter against our perimeter shooting," Gregorio added.