Beer, Coke mix it up for title starting today

The sibling war between Coca-Cola and San Miguel Beer is on today.

And like in any other war, expect fierce and furious action with the sister teams declaring to treat each the worst of enemies in this title playoff.

Coca-Cola, bridesmaid in the first two tourneys this season, hopes to finally become the bride while San Miguel seeks revenge and old glory as the two clash in a best-of-seven showdown for the Samsung PBA Reinforced Conference crown.

With hardly a rest after sweeping past Talk n Text and Sta. Lucia in the semis, the Tigers and the Beermen commence their battle with Game One at 6:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Realtors and the Phone Pals dispute second runner-up honors in a one-game playoff at 4 p.m.

Coaches Chot Reyes and Jong Uichico had varying words after the semis but both pointed out their teams should not be satisfied with their entry into the finals.

"Discontent is the mother of all motivations," said Reyes, who is curiously eyeing to match Uichico’s haul of four championships in the league.

"It’s been a while since we last played in the finals. I hope the team is not satisfied with our return stint there," said Uichico, whose Beermen last figured in a title playoff in the 2001 All-Filipino incidentally versus another sister team Barangay Ginebra.

The Beermen go for an unprecedented 17th title while the Tigers aspire to match their title conquest in the 2002 All-Filipino.

It would be remembered that the Tigers bucked injuries to key players in pulling the rug from under the Beermen in their semis showdown in their All-Filipino triumphant ride.

Uichico and his Beermen want to slay the ghost of that debacle. "Hindi pa namin nakakalimutan iyon," said Uichico.

But the amiable San Miguel mentor believes they have a job cut out for them against the Tigers, who indeed, have been performing consistently well in the tourney, and the season for that matter.

Coca-Cola, together with Red Bull Barako, topped the eliminations with similar 10-3 cards. And the Tigers are 5-1 in the post-elims play.

The Beermen, on the other hand, are on an amazing uphill run after starting the tournament with five straight defeats. The team turned their fortunes on the return of Danny Ildefonso (from injury) and Dorian Peña (from drug-related suspension) and the arrival of import Kwan Johnson. The three were not yet around when the Beermen were repulsed by the Tigers, 75-82, in their lone meeting in the elims.

"San Miguel is an entirely different team now," said Reyes, suggesting they should not be considered the favorites as he again mentioned his team is tired and weary.

But Uichico believes Reyes is just bluffing.

"They’re not tired. Ang tingin ko nga we have to find a way to match their energy and intensity to have a chance beating them," said Uichico.

"They’re tough to beat because they always find a way to pull through no matter what the situation is. Just look at their victory against Talk n Text in Game Two," added Uichico, still amazed on how the Tigers clawed their way to victory from a 21-point deficit.

"We always have a hard time matching up with Coke. Sila madaling maka-match-up sa amin because of their size and speed," Uichico also said.

But Uichico admitted they have a deep bench with Ildefonso now being their sixth man.

Stats-wise, the Tigers also look to have the edge with the team No. 1 in offense (97.9), in assists (25.4) and steals (9.2) and No. 2 in defense (87.9) and rebounds (50.3). The Beermen average 87.2 points, 47.6 rebounds, 19.1 assists and 7.3 steals. They also have the biggest average in turnovers with 15.2 a game.