IT’S on.
Rain or Shine and Alaska, two teams back in familiar territory but always end up as bridesmaids in recent times, duke it out in a much-anticipated finals showdown in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
Game 1 of their best-of-seven championship series is scheduled today at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Having found consistent success the past few years only to fall short of winning it all one conference the other, these two teams are certainly hungry and both intend to end stretches of coming up short.
“The players themselves are motivated. They really want to win a championship again,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, who is hoping that his team can win its second PBA title in its second straight Commissioner’s Cup finals appearance. “We’re motivated and ready.”
Alaska Aces head coach Alex Compton is equally grateful for the opportunity to compete for the Commissioner’s Cup crown.
“I’m just so proud of the team. After everything we’ve been through, our resiliency and perseverance got us back here,” said Compton, who is still in search of his first championship with the Aces in his fourth finals stint. “It’s going to be tough against Rain or Shine. That team is playing really well now and we’ll give it our best with this chance.”
The much-improved and streaking Elasto Painters dispatched Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer, 3-1, in their best-of-five semifinals.
Rain or Shine won with relative ease, but the Aces needed to grind it out before escaping Meralco, 3-2, in a grueling five-game showdown.
Rain or Shine will come in rested, while Alaska will be the more fatigued team coming in. The Aces had a one-day off, Thursday, to prepare and rest after its semifinal series with the Bolts ended just last Wednesday.
This is the third straight finals appearance for Alaska and fourth in the last five conferences. It is hoping that this time around, it can finally bag a championship after going 0-of-3 in its last three trips, all against San Miguel.
These two teams are the bridesmaids of the champions in the last five conferences with Alaska having three second-place finishes and two for Rain or Shine.
For one of these protagonists at least, the heartbreak will come to an end.
Game Today
(Finals, Game 1 – Smart
Araneta Coliseum)
7 p.m. – Alaska vs. Rain or Shine