WILL the third act follow the same script of the first two?
Rain or Shine is certainly hoping for that while San Miguel Beer will seek to turn the tides as their best-of-seven semifinal war resumes in the 2015-16 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup Playoffs.
With the series squared at 1-1, the pivotal Game 3 between the two powerhouses is scheduled at 5 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with both the Elasto Painters and the Beermen aiming to gain an important edge.
The first two games provided similar scripts with different endings.
Rain or Shine surprisingly dominated majority of Games 1 and 2 as it led by double-digits most of the way and even held 20-point leads in both contests.
However, both games were split between the two squads as the Beermen were able to forge a scintillating rally to take Game 1, 109-105, while Rain or Shine countered by dominating and holding on to Game 2, 105-97.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is hoping that the result of Game 2 can be duplicated by his squad once more.
“It was like the same stories for the first two games and fortunately for us we got a different ending. We’re hoping to have that same ending in Game 2,’’ said Guiao.
Despite his team dominating majority of the series so far, Guiao said that what matters at this point is that it is still anyone’s series.
“Now we’re starting over again with the series tied. That (Game 2 win) gave us confidence. We have a chance in this series,’’ he said.
On the other side, San Miguel coach Leo Austria still see the positives his team has despite the last defeat as he is hoping that his wards can improve their bearing in Game 3.
“Game 2 was still a good one for us despite the lapses. We were able to come back once again pero kinapos na. Hopefully in Game 3, we can be better pa and improve on our lapses,’’ said Austria.
In Game 2 last Thursday night, Rain or Shine once again zoomed ahead to a huge double-digit lead right after the first quarter and held on to that the rest of the way until San Miguel once again made a last-ditch effort in the last few minutes of the game.
However, unlike in Game 1 where it was able to finish the job in its comeback, San Miguel failed to repeat its classic turnaround in the opener and eventually fell to Rain or Shine.
Reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo continued to power his way as he scored 38 points in Game 2, but the Elasto Painters made him bleed for all of those and at the same time, Rain or Shine’s collective effort proved to be better the last time out.
Six players from Rain or Shine scored in twin-digits in Game 2 and Guiao is certainly banking on his guys to do the same thing again.
Game Today
(Game 3, Semifinals – Smart Araneta Coliseum):
5 p.m. – San Miguel vs. Rain or Shine