Alaska, TNT go for the kill vs SLR, SMB

Alaska Milk and Talk n Text try to deliver the killer blow as they take on their beleaguered rivals Sta. Lucia Realty and San Miguel Beer in Game Five of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal series today at the Astrodome.

Making it 3-1 in their respective series Wednesday, the Aces and the Texters have three cracks at finishing off their rivals and setting up a rematch of their 2007 Fiesta Cup title showdown.

Sta. Lucia and San Miguel Beer face a tough task of preventing a Alaska-Talk n Text finale since only two teams have done the feat in the long history of the local pro league.

The Aces and the Texters, however, aren’t counting out the Realtors and the Beermen with coaches Tim Cone and Chot Reyes saying they can’t afford to relax lest they will allow their rivals to get back in the series.

“Sta. Lucia is a team with so much character. They just won’t quit. No matter how far you get ahead, they can come back and get at you. You really can’t relax,” said Cone.

“The games are all coming down to the last possession so definitely the series is far from over,” said Reyes.

The Realtors and the Beermen are determined to stay alive.

“We may be down but not out. We just have to bring back the energy and defensive intensity in our game and we’ll be okay. I can assure that we’ll be fighting till the end,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez

“We need to be ready and we will,” said San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Expectations, however, are now high that Alaska and Talk n Text will pull through, arranging a grudge match after their 2007 Fiesta Cup title showdown won by the Aces in seven games.

If ever, Alaska will gain its seventh All-Filipino finals stint and 22nd overall. The Aces have four All-Filipino crowns tucked under their belt.

Talk n Text is looking for a sixth final appearance in the last seven years and hoping to make it all the way to claim a second title after ruling the same tourney in 2003.

If the Texters accomplish their mission, team owner Manny V. Pangilinan scores a personal grand slam following Ateneo’s conquest of the UAAP crown and San Beda’s victory in the NCAA. Pangilinan is the top supporter of both the Eagles and the Lions.

The Texters have been using their quickness and outside shooting to offset the Beermen’s height advantage. San Miguel is still bigger despite the absence of Dorian Peña due to a severe ankle sprain.