While going for a commanding two-game-to-nil lead in these best-of-seven showdowns, another thing going for the Kings and the Beermen is the fact that they have shaken off rustiness from their month-long break.
The Pals and the Bulls, however, got a wakeup call and they are likely to play with great resolve in a bid to get even.
Ginebra and Talk n Text battle at 4:30 p.m. then San Miguel and Red Bull clash at 7:20 p.m.
The Kings and the Beermen displayed contrasting performances returning from a long break but hacked out the same results, gaining the head start in the series.
Ginebra came out smoking and blasted Talk n Text, 115-100, while San Miguel struggled early on but sizzled at the finish to subdue Red Bull, 114-109, before a huge cheering crowd at the Big Dome Wednesday.
"We dominated the game but it’s definitely not the gauge of the series. It’s a long haul. Anything can happen," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
"I don’t see any team taking control of the series. It’s gonna be hard at kailangan pasensyahan. Ang mawalan ng pasensya, talo," said San Miguel coach Chot Reyes.
Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao expressed confidence they can get back at San Miguel.
"We thought Game One was ours and we just threw it away. I’m confident we’ll continue to play well and win Game Two," said Guiao.
"We controlled most part of Game One until Dondon Hontiveros had his run in the fourth quarter. Pero yung mga baskets ni Dondon hindi unchallenged. Nandoon ang depensa, it so happened his shots went in," Guiao added.
Talk n Text coach Derrick Pumaren, meanwhile, is hoping his players will come out with better attitude.
"Subconsciously, probably they thought it’s gonna be easy beating Ginebra without Eric Menk. I told them minus Menk, Ginebra is likely to step up and they did," said Pumaren.