Game today (Mall of Asia Arena)
Game 1, Best-of-Seven Finals
8 p.m.- Petron vs. San Mig
They may be sister teams, but make no mistake about it, this titular showdown is going to be a dogfight.
Petron Blaze and San Mig Coffee start their championship battle at 8 tonight in Game 1 of the 38th PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-seven Finals Series at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Labanan todo ito. Walang sister team sister team dito,” declared San Mig Coffee shooter James Yap.
Petron also foresees a tough battle.
“Pukpukan ‘to,” said Petron’s lanky forward Arwind Santos in a pba.ph report.
Petron and San Mig are facing in the finals for the first time in 13 years. The two squads’ last championship was also in a Governors’ Cup tournament where the Derrick Brown-led Purefoods (now San Mig) scored a 4-1 series win over the Lamont Strothers-powered San Miguel Beer (now Petron).
Petron is on its 27th finals appearance and is gunning for a league-best 20th crown. San Mig is on its 24th stint in the finals looking for its 10th title.
San Mig Coffee is looking to move up to the fourth spot in the race for most titles won behind Petron, Alaska (14) and Crispa (13).
San Mig coach Tim Cone and Petron chief tactician Gee Abanilla are also gunning for a piece of history.
Cone is looking to tie Baby Dalupan’s all-time best record of 15 championships while Abanilla is trying to become the seventh coach to win a crown in their first conference in the league.
Petron has been consistent in the tournament, advancing to the finals as the number one seed. San Mig Coffee ranked fourth in the playoffs.
“These two teams, without a doubt, are the most consistent team in the conference, and it’s not surprising that they’re meeting in the finals,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud.
Imports battle will have Marqus Blakely going up against Petron’s Elijah Millsap.
Blakely played for the Coffee Mixers in the same conference last but San Mig lost to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the finals.
“Last year was a disappointment for me and my team. Back here and having another shot is a good opportunity for me,” said Blakely