Fired-up Aces seek 3-1 lead

Game today (MOA Arena)

4:15 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Alaska Milk

MANILA, Philippines - Neither team is bent on calling a Christmas Day truce.

In fact, expect Alaska Milk and Rain or Shine to bring their rivalry to a higher level in Game Four of their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal duel at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City today.

Gametime is at 4:15 p.m. with the Aces going for a pivotal 3-1 lead before an expected big crowd as the PBA gives away the general admission tickets for free on a first-come-first-serve basis.

It could be over if the Aces win again. But a victory by Rain or Shine will reduce the series to a best-of-three affair.

San Miguel Beer and Talk n Text, meanwhile, will also do away with the Christmas Day break as they brace for Game Four of their own Final Four faceoff tomorrow.

The Beermen, the league’s winningest ballclub, try to nail a first Philippine Cup finals appearance in four years via a four-game sweep of the Tropang Texters.

Down 1-2, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao considers their Christmas Day game a “must-win.”

After losing Game 3, Guiao emphasized the importance of winning Game Four – at all costs.

“Longest post-game sermon. Think that was more than 1 hour. Need to play better,” said Rain or Shine player Chris Tiu on his Twitter account after they finally emerged from their dugout after the 78-94 loss.

“Their (Aces) offensive rebounds really got us in the fourth quarter. At least eight points off the offensive rebounds,” said Guiao of the big difference in Game Three.

The Aces got away with that as they kept their composure in a rugged, emotional game marred by five technical fouls and the ejections of the Rain or Shine coach and RoS lead center Beau Belga.

The physicality of the battle is only expected to be more intense tonight.