DO-OR-DIE MATCH
Game today
Araneta Coliseum
5 p.m.- Barangay Ginebra vs. Rain or Shine
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Barangay Ginebra Kings brace for a total war today as the two squads collide in a sudden-death duel in Game 3 of their 38th PBA Philippine Cup best-of-three quarterfinal series at the Araneta Coliseum.
Tip-off is set at 5 p.m.
The Kings once again displayed the never-say-die attitude that have endeared them to their legions of fans when they beat the Painters in gAME 2 last Friday, 79-77 and send the series into tonight’s rubbermatch.
The Painters handily won Game 1, 82-65.
“Etong next game, kailangan ang concentration nandoon. Patay kung patay ang attitude, pero ang focus hindi nawawala,” Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen said in a pba.ph report.
Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao has to make some adjustments in its bid to return to the semifinal round after a championship run in the Governors’ Cup.
“We need to fix some things, like our rebounding and our zone offense, but we will be okay on Sunday,” said Guiao.
“I have the utmost confidence in my team. These guys are tough and they know how to handle setbacks. We’re still very positive about our chances,” added Guiao.
Guiao reportedly went ballistic in the team’s dugout right after the close defeat.
Big man Beau Belga got an earful from Guiao after he committed an offensive foul in the final 2:11. The incident happened in the backcourt while Rain or Shine was about to complete a three-on-two fastbreak play and the Kings protecting a slim three-point lead.
“Ganun talaga, babawi na lang ako sa next game. Nasaktan ako, gumanti ako. Hindi ko naisip ang consequences,” said Belga.
“May chance pa sana kami umiskor nun 3-on-2 fastbreak na yun, pinagalitan ko talaga siya (Belga). I made it known to him that I was not happy with that decision. We lost by 2 points, it now means a lot. Beau is a young player. I expected more of him coming from a championship,” said Guiao.
The winner in today’s game will advance to the best-of-seven semifinal round against the San Mig Coffee Mixers.
The other semifinal battle will pit the defending champions Talk N Text Tropang Texters and the Alaska Aces.
