Coaches Leo Austria and Junel Baculi themselves rule out the possibility of one sweeping the other as both brace up for a complete war in the Welcoat Paints-Fash Liquid Laundry Detergent best-of-five titular showdown starting tomorrow at the Makati Coliseum.
"It’s going to be an interesting match-up but I don’t think there would be a sweep," said Baculi, who is figuring in his 11th finals appearance in the league. He has six titles under his belt
"Beating them (Fash) is hard enough, much more a sweep," said Austria, winner of three titles, for his part.
During yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Manila Pavilion, surprisingly uttering brave words was Welcoat gunner James Yap. He said: "Kaya yan."
As coaches, this marks the sixth time Baculi and Austria will meet in the finals, the latter holding a slim 3-2 edge in their head-to-head encounter after winning last year’s Challenge Cup championship.
"Pero tabla na yan pagtapos ng series," said Baculi.
"Sana hindi mangyari," Austria snapped back.
Since assuming the Welcoat job, Austria has steered the Paint Masters to two finals stint, including this one.
Baculi, meanwhile, returned to the Lamoiyan franchise, the team which he first mentored in the league, shortly after stepping down as Welcoat coach. He went on to power the team to the Unity Cup championship last conference opposite Viva Mineral Water.
Unlike that title series six months ago, the Fash mentor admitted Welcoat, a ballclub he guided to four league titles and eight Finals appearances, will be a tough nut to crack in their best-of-five series.
With pro-bound and national team players Yap, Jean Marc Pingris, Willie Wilson, Irvin Sotto, Paul Artadi and Nelbert Omolon, not to mention leading Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidate Jojo Tangkay, at the forefront, the Paint Masters are undoubtedly the heavy favorites to win their second league crown in three conferences.
"They have a very deep bench and the best team in the league going to the finals. Kaya nga nagulat ako nung may lumabas na article saying na Welcoat daw ang underdog," said a very much surprised Baculi.
Hesitant at first, Austria later admitted that his team is indeed, the odds’ pick in the finals, especially with six of his players among the top 10 contenders in the MVP race.
But perhaps not that overwhelming.
"Mas lamang sila (Liquid Power) sa experience dahil majority of them were with the team that won the Unity Cup. Besides, isa pang distraction `yung MVP award, baka mamaya ang mga players ‘yun ang isipin imbes na championship," Austria said.
Incidentally, the defending champions are best in the league on both offense and defense. Welcoat averages 77.6 points and allows their rivals to score an average of only 67.6 a game.
The Liquid Powers are at fifth spot in points scored per game with 69.9 at third in points allowed with 68.3.