Alaska-Purefoods anybody's game

MANILA, Philippines - For both Alaska Milk and Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, fashioning out an incredible feat to make the finals is not enough.

The Aces and the Giants are raring to battle and beat each other to claim the 2009-2010 KFC PBA Philippine Cup championship.

The two teams figure in an all-Filipino finals showdown for the first time in nine years with Game One of the best-of-seven series set at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum.

League watchers and the title protagonists themselves foresee a series providing the tourney a climactic ending.

“It’s nice to be back. This is a big series and interesting one for us, and we intend to go hard. We’re here in the all-Filipino finals last year but went a game short,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“It’s been a while since we last made the finals. This is a good opportunity for us to be No. 1 again,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

Key players of both teams shared their own thoughts during the pre-finals press conference held at the elegant Gateway Suites in Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.

“Sa probinsya nga nakikipagpatayan kami sa laro para sa ice tubig lang, dito pa kaya sa PBA finals na million in bonuses ang nakataya,” Purefoods forward Marc Pingris said in half-jest.

“No less than the championship is at stake, so expect no less than a battle,” said Alaska main man Willie Miller.

Forget fatigue and injuries as the two teams are likely to be driven by a great desire and determination to win.

“Now that we’re in the finals, the heart and not weary legs is the thing,” said Gregorio, putting behind him the fact that they have played 29 games in the tourney, compared to only 22 of the Aces.

Gaining outright entry into the semis for topping the eliminations, the Aces also took a shortcut to the finals by sweeping the Barangay Ginebra Kings in their best-of-seven semis showdown.

Purefoods, No. 3 in the elims, needed five games to hurdle Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals and six games to get past second seed San Miguel in the Final Four.

Cone said they’re smart enough not to think the Giants are battle-weary.

“We will not fall on that trap,” said Cone, pointing out the series is about execution.

The veteran Alaska mentor explained they have to execute on both ends of the court to neutralize Purefoods’ tremendous size and quickness.

“It’s about their length. They’re long, tall and quick, making it easy for them to cover the court. But we feel we can step up our defense. Hopefully, we can match up step by step,” said Cone.

“Offensively, we have to execute and get ourselves good looks at the basket,” Cone added.

Gregorio is wary of the Aces for the sharpness they’ve shown throughout the tourney.

“Alaska is so sharp that I think our only chance is to get them out of their comfort zone and hopefully we have enough men to do that,” said Gregorio.

“Just like against San Miguel, we’ll come into the series with a defensive mindset. Our only chance really is to disrupt them,” Gregorio added.

“Sonny Thoss has been playing the best games of his career, Willie Miller and LA Tenorio are doing their thing and Tony dela Cruz has suddenly become a double-double (numbers) player. They have at least nine players who can light up the board,” Gregorio also said.

The Aces won their first game, 101-87, in the elims with five men, led by Tenorio with 24 points, finishing in double figures.

The Giants got back at the Aces, 94-77, on Jan. 15 when Alaska was already safe into the semis.