Live or bust for three teams tonight

MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk, Rain or Shine and Petron Blaze press their respective finals bids as the chase for the last berth reaches fever pitch in the PBA Governors Cup semifinal round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

The Aces and the Elasto Painters knock each other out at 7:45 p.m. after the Boosters play their own must-win game versus an eliminated B-Meg Llamados side at 5:30 p.m.

Talk n Text took the first finals berth with a victory over Barangay Ginebra last Sunday, leaving Alaska, Rain or Shine, Petron and Ginebra in a mad scramble for the last seat in the best-of-seven finale.

With the four contenders in must-win games, action is expected to be fierce and close in the last two playdates with the winner advancing to the finals against the grand slam-seeking Texters.

While Petron is fancied to easily get past B-Meg, the Alaska-Rain or Shine game is tipped to go down-to-the-wire.

“As I have maintained, we’re trying to control what we can control and that is putting our best foot forward against Rain or Shine,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

The Aces, the Fiesta Conference champions last year, need to beat the Elasto Painters and finish with a good quotient to make the finals.

“We have to win and see where the cards fall,” said Cone.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao remains confident of his team’s chances in the last two games for the franchise’s first ever crack at the crown.

“I have a feeling that we’ll win. The vibes and aura of the team were pretty good during our practice (in Northeast Green Hills). There’s a really big possibility for Rain or Shine to make the Finals,” said Guiao.

Beating Alaska today and Ginebra Friday automatically sends Rain or Shine to the finals.

“This is a good opportunity for us, for the franchise. We’re just two wins away from the finals, and I emphasized to the players the importance of this rare opportunity. So we have to take advantage of it, of the chance we have now. It’s in our control. Our destiny is in our hands,” said Guiao.

The veteran Kapampangan mentor believes he has the personnel to achieve the feat.

“I think, among all the teams, we have relatively fewer injuries. Nothing serious. Also, our import - Arizona Reid - is a leading contender for the Best Import award. We just have to contribute our effort into the mix in order to gain the result that we want,” said Guiao.