One hell of a fight for match made in heaven

Victor Thomas, Junthy Valenzuela and Jimwell Torion see a good match-up; Mark Caguioa and Torraye Braggs predict a highly physical game and Jayjay Helterbrand expects total war.

Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao sums it all up: "It’s a match made in heaven to be played by the devils."

Welcome to the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Conference best-of-five title playoff between Red Bull and Barangay Ginebra beginning with Game One at the Araneta Coliseum tomorrow.

The protagonists maintain they both play with passion and intensity and look forward to a full-blown war in their duel for supremacy in the PBA transition tourney.

Guiao and Ginebra counterpart Siot Tanquingcen and some of their key players shared their thoughts on the coming series in a pre-finals press conference at the Harbor View restaurant at Rizal Park yesterday.

"It’s gonna be a war because we want it so bad, " said Helterbrand.

Guiao said it will be a series of rugged games since the two teams always play with pride and passion.

"Once we go out, it’s always a war. No ifs or buts about it. If I have a machine gun, I will mow them down and spit on their corpses," said Guiao. "They shame me in front of my family and thousands of fans? No way. That’s how I treat the game and I say that to my players."

Tanquingcen and Guiao agreed their teams are so evenly matched that the fight could be decided by technical adjustments during the games.

"Talent is not going to be a factor. Both teams have a good import and good players on all positions. Magkakatalo na lang ito sa adjustments and execution siguro," said Guiao.

The outspoken Red Bull mentor said they have the advantage in experience but this could be neutralized by Ginebra’s crowd support and coaching tips from their former American trainer Kirk Collier who has transferred to Ginebra.

"Tatlong taon sa amin iyan. Siyempre alam na alam niya ang sistema namin," said Guiao of Collier.

"For Red Bull, it’s like always playing away from home. Ginebra will enjoy the homecourt advantage because of their fans. Siguradong pagsisigawan ang mga players ko pero hindi iyan maapektuhan. Sanay na ang mga iyan sa sigaw ko," Guiao also said.

Meanwhile, commissioner Noli Eala is seeking additional uniformed and civilian security personnel from the Araneta Coliseum force and the Philippine National Police to prevent untoward incidents involving the teams and the fans.

Ginebra and Red Bull Barako fans have figured in a number of ugly confrontations before with the latest only last Friday at the Philsports Arena. Two Ginebra fans even landed in the hospital in an incident last year.

"With the stakes higher, we need better coordination with the Araneta Coliseum security force and the police," said Eala.