Kings vs Express: Duel of haves, have-nots

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios likens the Fiesta Cup finals between Barangay Ginebra and Air21 to the All-Filipino title duel between Sta. Lucia Realty and Purefoods.

And the league’s top honcho said he would not be surprised if the underdog team would come out victorious in the end.

The best-of-seven finale in the season-ending tourney begins tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum with a highly touted champion team on one side and a ball club looking for recognition on the other.

It was practically the same pairing in the first conference title duel with Sta. Lucia Realty defying the odds, surprising Purefoods to win the All-Filipino crown for the first time since joining the league in 1993.

In fact, league watchers expect an Air21 victory to complete a season of the underdogs.

However, the protagonists don’t think there’s an underdog or favorite in the series, believing they have an equal chance of winning the coveted crown. The members of the two teams shared lunch yesterday at the Emerald Restaurant in Manila, two days before the title series.

“Yes, we have the advantage in experience, but experience is just a small factor in the finals. Once you make the finals, you have an equal chance of winning the title. A grand slam team and a untitled team have equal chance of winning in a title playoff,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

“My players are not highly touted but they’re winners in their own right. Given the chance, they would grab it,” said Air21 coach Bo Perasol.

The two coaches themselves are poles apart in  their coaching accomplishments. Uichico has seven titles under his belt while Perasol is figuring only in his first finals.

The youthful Air21 coach, however, is undaunted.

“To be intimidated is negative. We’re living with our company motto of ‘we deliver no matter what.’ We face tall odds versus Ginebra but we’ll do it,” said Perasol.

The Air21 players are as optimistic  and excited as their coach in playing the Kings before their diehard fans.

“It’s great to play Ginebra. We’ll not be intimidated by their crowd, knowing the game is only five-on-five on the court,” said bruiser Homer Se.

“We’re more inspired playing before a big crowd. The Ginebra fans won’t be a problem for us,” said Ranidel de Ocampo.

“My players know what is in store for us. Mentally, they’re ready to get the job done,” said Perasol, confident they can win the first ever championship for the Bert Lina Group franchise.