It is on.
Alaska and San Miguel Beer renew their long-time rivalry as they begin fireworks in their best-of-five semifinals showdown in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.
Drawing first blood will be the priority for both protagonists when they meet in Game 1 at 6:40 p.m. today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Both teams are armed with a two-game winning streak coming and now, they are bound to separate paths.
Both coaches expressed their team’s readiness for their encounter.
“Alaska is a strong team, but our players are ready for another challenge,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “The players want to get back to the finals and I know they continue to play hard in this series.”
“There’s never an easy series against San Miguel. We’re hoping we can come through even against a strong team like that. We’ll be ready to give our best shot,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
The Beermen have emphatically dominated the Aces in their famous encounters in recent years.
San Miguel Beer has won the rivalry’s last three encounters, all in the finals.
That unforgettable last conquest was when the Beermen clinched the 2016 Philippine Cup title against the Aces by becoming the first team to overcome a 0-3 deficit in the best-of-seven finale.
However, the Aces took their elimination round game, 105-103, last May 19, thanks to the heroics of Vic Manuel.
The pairing will also see the clash between the top two contenders for the Best Player of the Conference in Manuel and June Mar Fajardo.
Alaska easily dispatched Magnolia in the quarterfinals, while San Miguel swept another rival in TNT KaTropa.
An interesting import battle between Renaldo Balkman and Diamon Simpson is also an attraction to watch out for.