PBA semifinals resume today

Games today:

Araneta Coliseum

5:15 p.m.- San Mig vs. Alaska

7:30 p.m.- Talk ‘N Text vs. Barangay Ginebra

After the merrymaking brought about by the All-Star Week celebration, its back to serious business as the best-of-five semifinal round of the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup resumes today at the Araneta Coliseum.

The four semifinalists are expected to go all-out since both series are down to best-of-three affairs.

The defending champions San Mig Coffee Mixers play the Alaska Aces in the first game, while the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, who will be parading a new import, tackle the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the main game.

San Mig and Ginebra drew first blood in their respective series before Alaska and Talk ‘N Text evened things up.

“After such a long break, it truly does feel like a best-of-three. It’s almost like a completely different series. But like any best-of-three, that first game is always crucial,” San Mig coach Tim Cone told pba.ph.

Alaska blew San Mig out in Game 2, 86-67, in a game where San Mig’s import Denzel Bowles was held to a career-low eight points.

It was Alaska’s first win over Cone after nine straight defeats.

“We have to match their energy. We have to be ready. Both teams will be raring to go,” Alaska head coach Luigi Trillo said. “I am demanding a sense of urgency from my guys. That’s the most important thing coming into tomorrow’s (Wednesday’s) game.”

Meanwhile, the Texters sent the seven-footer James Jordan home and brought in six-foot-five Tony Mitchell as their new import.

The replacement aims to strengthen the backcourt of Talk ‘N Text after injuries to Jimmy Alapag and Jared Dillinger.