By REYNALD MAGALLON
It’s survival of the fittest as the last two quarterfinals series in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup go full length with a do-or-die Game 3 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, Feb. 9.
The latest chapter to the storied rivalry between Meralco and Ginebra is coming to its much anticipated conclusion in the main event at 7:30 p.m. while the duel between the tournament dark horses in Rain or Shine and Converge is also coming to a close in the first offering a 5 p.m.
The burden of adjustments are on the Game 1 winners in Ginebra and Converge after they both failed to close out their respective series in the Game 2 last Friday.
The Kings essayed a convincing 100-92 victory in the series opener but the Bolts struck back with a 108-104 win to level the count. The FiberXers, on the other hand, cruised to an easy 130-118 win before the Elasto Painters bounced back with a 114-104 triumph.
And now it boils down to one game – where the winner shall be determined by which teams have the unflinching guts, unwavering resolve and unyielding resilience.
“Gustung-gusto namin yung ganitong sitwasyon for a team that is really hoping to develop into a contender we need this situations. This is part of the process,” said ROS head coach Yeng Guiao ahead of the rubber match.
“Sabi ko nga kanina just fight like hell. Be smart. After the game, whatever the result is we will live with it. Just compete. Kayurin niyo lang. Manalo maganda , matalo tatanggapin natin but you have to fight like hell,” he added.
And the same mentality should also be on the heads of the Meralco and Ginebra especially that, with their long rivalry, not only a semifinals spot is at stake but all the pride of the players and their respective franchise.
“The rivalry, the coaches are sharp, the fanbase are sharp. We’re getting a it older but that’s the big game changer. Looking at them we really have to play at another level. We cannot come to a fight and not be ready,” said Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo.
Rain or Shine shall again bank on their fast-paced attack to try and neutralize the size advantage of Converge, which was the main factor in the Game 1 win.
Adrian Nocum, who fired 28, will be leading the charge along with import Deon Thompson and other local stars Anton Asistio and Leonard Santillan while Cheick Diallo along with Jordan Heading, Alec Stockton, Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar shall lead the pack for Converge.
Meralco, on the other hand will be relying heavily on Chris Newsome along with Bong Quinto, Cliff Hodge and Chris Banchero to provide help to the hobbling Akil Mitchell while Ginebra will be bannered by its usual weapons Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos and Japeth Aguilar.
